Customer Reviews

Albeniz: Iberia, impressiones para piano

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First of all, true, the rubato will be the same each time you listen to the same disc, sorry esteban isnt good enough to change a performance after it is recorded onto a disc like some pianists(who, I cannot say?). Secondly, and I am not really a Sanchez fan, this is the best Iberia out there,(unless Hamelin's is as good as I hear it is going to be), but everything about this performance is almost perfect down to the tone of the piano he plays with its bright quick sound. A heavy, sonorous steinway would kill this kind of back alley(I mean that in the best possible way) masterpiece. The playing is great,- De Larocha is fine, standard even, but this is by far much closer to the heart and core of the piece and the composer. Buy it, but dont expect it to alter its rubato and phrasing each time you listen to it like some people do.

After having studied some of Iberia books myself, and after having listened many Iberia recordings and 2 full Iberia performances, I can only say that this is the best version for me. I can only regret that Sánchez didnt leave more recordings, he was a man that never liked concerts nor recording which he found artifficial. So I will leave to my very own ears the remembrance of the occassion in which I could listed to him playing Liszt Rhapsodys. I have seen Richter at my conservatory, I have also enjoyed some Baremboin concerts. I can only say Sánchez was as good as them. He was a genious. What a pity.

Esteban Sanchez plays in a wonderful way for this CD (as he always plays). It is necessary the opinion would be showed by only people who feel his hands performances, this only hands for the music history. From Spain where all the people find out the most closely knowing about his performance and repertoire.

i bought this CD quite some time ago thinking that this should be really good, as alfred cortot himself gave praise to esteban sanchez's playing. after listening once i was impressed. after listening a second time, i felt like turning the stereo off halfway. sanchez is not a well-established pianist and there is good reason for that. if he does rubato or allargando or something like that (means playing around slightly with the tempo), he does it EXACTLY THE SAME EVERY TIME! after a while i just can't help but say "oh here we go again". yes. his playing is THAT predictable: i know he's going to do something before he even does it. it sounds pretty nice at first, but after a while u will feel that u really shouldn't have wasted your money on this. get the early laroccha one or the one by nicholas unwin. those are much better.