Customer Reviews

The Best of Grieg

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Like previous reviewers had all said, this is a fine set of CDs to introduce yourself to Grieg. What they failed to state, however, is how fortunate we are to have this particular recording of the piano concerto included among the other works. Why? The Kovacevich/Davic/BBCSO recording of the concerto is one the best performances of this work available. As he does in his distinguished set of Beethoven piano concertos, Kovacevich displays not only great virtuosity but also an excellent understanding of the music. Look elsewhere in the catalog, and you'll see that for the price you pay here you can probably only get the piano concerto coupled with some other concerto and maybe small fillers if you are lucky. Nowhere else will you again encounter this opportunity of getting some of Grieg's most popular works AND one of the most riveting performances of the piano concerto (which is, by the way, a work in the standard piano repetoire). Grab these two CDs as soon as you can. The remastered analog sound is as sumptuous as ever, if the 1970s recording dates are keeping you back.

I am a classical music neophyte and thoroughly enjoy this compilation. While he is not my favorite composer, many of Grieg's pieces are refreshing and timeless. I'm not an expert on the quality of the orchestral translation, but it sounds good to me. Hopefully the experienced classical reviewers will have mercy on this evaluation, but if you're looking for an intro to Grieg, this is great.

This is a very attractive collection. As noted above, it has the stellar Stephen Kovacevich/Colin Davis piano concerto -- one of the finest recordings of this work tout court.

The ubiquitous Peer Gynt suites 1 & 2 are here, with some very nice playing by the English Chamber Orchestra. These are very good performances, but I prefer the larger ensemble versions of these suites (Beecham and the Royal Philharmonic on EMI is really fantastic). The Gynt suites round off the collection, but are not, for me, its selling points.

Now, the Lyric Suite is another matter. This is a really glorious performance. The English Chamber's strings in "Shepherd's Boy" simply sing, and the "Nocturne" is pure, dark romantic lyricism. The orchestra really shines in From Holberg's Time, a suite for strings, as well.

Then we have the beautiful little Lyric Pieces for piano, tenderly played by Kocsis. Each one of these minute works for piano is a fragile gem.

The collection finishes with some very lively Symphonic Dances, this time with the Philharmonia, with full romantic sound.

Given the high caliber of performances, overall excellent recording sound, and the budget price of this collection, it is highly recommended for both the Grieg novice and for those (like me) who adore the sweet, melancholic music of this Norwegian romanticist.

Aesthetic quality/sound quality (out of 10): 9/10

This 2-disc set has everything I love about Grieg all organized together: Piano Concerto -- The best piano concerto I have ever heard. Just amazing. The entire Peer Gynt Suite which also absolutely owns. Plus it has, my absolute favorite piece ever, on disc 2: The 4-part Symphonic Dances. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

This collection is superb for the type of listener who has just been introduced to classical music. If you are, however, an avid classical music fan, in particular - a fan of Grieg - then this is not really the collection for you. The CD's do of course contain the piano concerto, Peer Gynt suites, the Holberg suite. However, it would have been nice to have seen some of Grieg's love songs on the collection. Most of the collection is extremely piano orientated.

The piano concerto is given a very fine performance. The soloist in question really gets to grips with the technical brilliance, and the expression of the music itself. Listen in particular to the first movement cadenza. And the ferociously difficult finale.

Just to sum up, this collection is a brilliant INTRODUCTION to Grieg. However, if you're already advanced into Grieg's musical output then try something more adventurous. The choice, however, remains yours!

This collection is superb for the type of listener who has just been introduced to classical music. If you are, however, an avid classical music fan, in particular - a fan of Grieg - then this is not really the collection for you. The CD's do of course contain the piano concerto, Peer Gynt suites, the Holberg suite. However, it would have been nice to have seen some of Grieg's love songs on the collection. Most of the collection is extremely piano orientated.

The piano concerto is given a very fine performance. The soloist in question really gets to grips with the technical brilliance, and the expression of the music itself. Listen in particular to the first movement cadenza. And the ferociously difficult finale.

Just to sum up, this collection is a brilliant INTRODUCTION to Grieg. However, if you're already advanced into Grieg's musical output then try something more adventurous. The choice, however, remains yours!

This CD is the best of the best