Customer Reviews

Emil Gilels: Great Pianists of the 20th Century Vol 1

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This is a superb collection from a man who was, by any measure, one of the supreme keyboard artists of the 20th century (and whose life was criminally shortened by medical malpractice at a Moscow hospital). Gilels' versatility is evident, and his rich tone, elegant phrasing and thundering virtuosity are undeniable.

That said, I would like to take issue with a few of the previous reviewer's statements. First, to say that Gilels didn't tour much "during the Soviet years" (the only years he was alive; when else would he have toured?) is patently false. Gilels was one the best-travelled performers of his time. Second, to say that he was not a typical "Russian" pianist is an extraordinary statement. Gilels was trained by Heinrich Neuhaus (that most Russian of teachers) and was criticized when he made his 1955 New York debut for a lack of subtlety (which he was to remedy within a few years) that was widely attributed to his narrow, exclusively Russian training. Finally, to say that Gilels made few recordings is ridiculous. The man's repertory was huge (from Bach and Scarlatti to Shostakovich and Prokofiev) and he left a recorded legacy that few pianists can rival.

Hopefully in the future, reviewers will do a little homework before making ignorant statements.

Emil Gilels' Ravel is always shattering (his old Melodiya recording of the Pavane can only be characterised as made by god!) and this recording's Ravel is no exception. To my mind, Gilels is the supreme pianist of the last century, and relatively unappreciated in the West, due partly to his, as well as Furtseva's, decision not to tour much during the Soviet years, and partly, I've always suspected, because he clearly is a kind of anti-Russian pianist, I'm saying, relative to the mold of Horowitz, Ashkenazy, Kissin, etc. Gilels commands by the subtlest suggestion, persuasion of a kind no longer heard on the classical stage. The Bach on this recording is a lesson for every pianist, truly. An unbearably perfect RESPECT on Gilels' part for Bach's thought, even, I think, an intrinsic desire for Bach's religiousness! The D Major is mesmerizing. Having heard it, you will never forget it. The Debussy (Images I) is everything it can be, more finely sifted than Gieseking's, and the Mozart -the amazing 27th with that loping First Movement- is miraculous, rich and rhythmical! This is fine stuff, people! The Weber (Horowitz liked this piece, too!) is so brilliant, it barks! The audacious last movement will knock your socks off! But for me, the Ravel is everything; `Jeux d'eau' sparkles like the morning, and the `Alborada' has the most majestic dancing heart- it'll take your breath away. Get all the Gilels you can find, recordings of this man's art are not abundant, but the rewards are life-altering.

Many of the great pianists get commonly associated with certain composers such as Rubinstein with Chopin, Katchen with Brahms or Bolet with Liszt. Emil Gilels was so versatile that he cannot be associated with any one composer. This cd shows his ability to play pieces from the Baroque era (Bach's French Suite No. 6) to the Classical period (Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 27) all the way to the Modern era (Debussy Images). Regardless of the classical period Gilels plays the piece uniquely and with a wonderful tone and sound that cannot be duplicated by anyone.