Customer Reviews

The Art of Ashkenazy

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Vladamir Ashkenazy is one of our lifetime's greatest pianists. Ever since winning the Tchaikovsky competition, his reputation as a pianist has grown stronger and more forthright. This collection takes us through various scopes of the piano repetoire. Being a classical pianist, I hold myself extremely dedicated to the faithful reproduction of piano music on to CD recordings. However, when one is listening to a recording of Ashkenazy's, the responsobility diminishes. With a name and reputation such as this man's there is no need to worry. All piano-music lovers will enjoy this fine collection. There are moments of technical finesse, bravura and showmanship. At other times there are passages of the utmost lyrical beauty. The concertos of Rachmaninov and Chopin are particularly well tackled by Ashkenazy. I have solely one minor criticism of this collection - it would have been nice to have heard some works of Liszt and Beethoven. Ashkenazy is a brilliant interpreter of Beethoven's sonatas in particular. However, with the wealth of compositions already on the CD, there is no real need for this. This CD is will offer its' listener hours upon hours of listening pleasure. All dur to two things - the composers and their music, and Ashkenazy - a truly unique pianist.

What can one say that has not already been said about Ashkenazy as a solo pianist, he is multi talented and his playing on this CD is perfection and a joy to listen to and relax. There isn't one track that one can say is better than the other on this CD they are all superb. However, thinking about which track that is exceptional for me, it must be his rendition of Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No.2, it has be one of the best performances of this Rachmaninov Concerto that I have heard. It brings back all the memories of the film with Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard in Brief Encounter. It's a purchase that I will treasure, and I'm sure that you will not be disappointed.

The selections are stunningly beautiful and how fortunate we are that Ashkenazy defected to the West to develop his great artistry. The two CDs give almost 160 minutes of music that is exciting, inspiring and comforting and it is definitely a keeper.I found it by accident while reading a review of another artist, his name was mentioned as someone to check out. That is what I love about Amazon, there is so much information in the reviews and listening to the segments gives you a good idea of what to expect.

it would have to be this one.

Ashkenazy's assured playing, his exquisite interpretations, his glorious range of musical expression, are all captured here. I can listen to this daily without ever becoming bored with it and appreciating afresh each time, the pleasure he brings. There are times when I find myself wishing that some of the composers were alive today to hear his playing - surely this was how they intended this particular section of a piece to sound? - other interpretations sound clunky and clumsy once you know Ashkenazy's interpretation. And I always feel that he plays each piece as though he is discovering anew that very time the wonder of the music, there is nothing but freshness and thoughtfulness.

I play this in the car, at my desk, in the kitchen, in the sitting room - it never fails to delight.

This CD is a must not just for classical music lovers but all!!

Ashkenazy is such a masterful and brilliant interpreter of music and pianist that no one can resist the spell of that very special Ashkenazy touch!!

This is easily the best compilation of Vladimir Ashkenazy which takes us through various scopes of stunningly beautiful piano repertoire including those all time favourites such as Chopin's Nocturne, op. 9 no. 2, Beethoven's Fur Elise, Mozart's piano concerto no.21 K467, Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini op.43 and much much more. This compilation comes in 2 CDs with one on piano concerto and the other, piano solo. The sound quality is excellent and the liner notes informative.