Alfred Cortot

Cesar Franck (Composer), Maurice Ravel (Composer), Camille Saint-Saens (Composer), Charles Münch (Conductor), Landon Ronald (Conductor), London Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Alfred Cortot (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Alfred Cortot
• Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Charles Münch, Landon Ronald
• Composer: Cesar Franck, Maurice Ravel, Camille Saint-Saens
• Audio CD (January 16, 2001)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos
• ASIN: B000050X9V
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #505,514 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Sym Vars

2. Pno Con No.4 in c, Op.44: Allegro Moderato - Andante

3. Pno Con No.4 in c, Op.44: Allegro Vivace - Andante - Allegro

4. Pno Con: Lento - Piu Lento - Andante

5. Pno Con: Allegro

6. Pno Con: Lento - Cadenza - Allegro

7. Etude In The Form Of A Waltz

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Few artists can match Alfred Cortot's ability to penetrate the emotional core of the music he played, and to bring listeners along for the ride. That it was a sometimes bumpy ride can be heard in the Ravel, where the wrong note quotient is pretty high. But, like everything on this disc of 1930s recordings, it's still an exciting performance. For despite his cavalier attitude toward note-perfect playing, Cortot was a front-rank virtuoso with immense communicative powers and an absolute identification with the music in his repertory. That helps explain why many of his recordings are so revered. The Franck is near-definitive, with few rivals in Cortot's understanding of the composer's style and the spontaneity of his playing. He makes the neglected Saint-Saëns Concerto sparkle and the Etude is played with vivacity. Mark Obert-Thorn's exemplary transfers make the vintage sound bearable, and Naxos's budget price makes purchase painless. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Pianist At A Bargain Price, December 12, 2001

By 

D. A Wend (Arlington Heights, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alfred Cortot (Audio CD)

The recording of the Cesar Frank Symphonic Variations and Saint Saens Fourth Piano Concerto are among the best of Alfred Cortot. His playing is simply beatiful in both works. However, the Ravel concerto is peppered with the wrong notes that Cortot is also famous for. It is rather difficult to listen to this recording but it is made up for by the other works on this disc. The sound is very good, certainly not digital sound let alone stereo but a great addition to one's collection.