Great Pianists 91

Vladimir Sofronitsky (Artist), Chopin (Artist), Scriabin (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 11, 1999)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Philips
• ASIN: B00000IX8Q
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #225,038 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Polonaise In C Sharp Minor, Op. 26 No. 1

2. Waltz In A Flat, Op. 69 No. 1

3. Waltz In F Minor - A Flat, Op. 70 No. 2

4. Waltz In D Flat, Op. 70 No. 3

5. Impromptu No. 3 In G Flat, Op. 51

6. Barcarolle In F Sharp, Op. 60

7. Nocturne In C Sharp Minor, Op. 27 No. 1

8. Nocturne In D Flat, Op. 27 No. 2

9. Mazurka In C Sharp Minor, Op. 41 No. 1

10. Mazurka In E Minor, Op. 41 No. 2

See all 18 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Piano Sonata No. 3 In F Sharp Minor, Op.23: Drammatico

2. Piano Sonata No. 3 In F Sharp Minor, Op.23: Allegretto

3. Piano Sonata No. 3 In F Sharp Minor, Op.23: Andante

4. Piano Sonata No. 3 In F Sharp Minor, Op.23: Presto con fuoco

5. Piano Sonata No. 9, Op.68 'Messe noire'

6. Piano Sonata No. 2 In G Sharp Minor, Op.19 'Sonata Fantasy': Andante

7. Vers la flamme, Op.72

8. Deux Danses, Op.73: Guirlandes

9. Deux Danses, Op.73: Flammes sombres

10. Deux Danses, Op.73: Prelude In B Flat Minor, Op.11 No.16

See all 17 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A legend, August 6, 2000

By 

"lampros" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Pianists 91 (Audio CD)

Talking about Sofronitsky is talking about a legend almost unknown in the west. Richter called him a God, and Gilels said he was the best among pianists. According Gavrilov, Richter and Gilels were nothing compared to Sofronitsky. For me, Nikolayeva and Sofronitsky are the most spiritual and poetic russian pianists of this century, more metaphisical Tatyana, more romantic Sofronitsky. Chopin and Scriabin were two of his most beloved composers ( i especially regret the lack of Schumann on these cds since Vladimir was at his best playing Schumann). I wasn't a Scriabin fan until i knew Sofronitsky . His presentation of Scriabin is far from those of Richter and Horowitz. Sofronitsky understands Scriabin in a very romantic way, almost byronian, and he makes clear all the nightmares and horror that exists in that music. Sometimes it sounds like the music of solitude, sometimes like in Vers la Flame yoyu can feel the mephistophelic smell, all the dumb dangers of the romantics.I'm just guessing but i think our pianist was a solipsist and you Scriabin was also a solipsistic. Ok, i agree all this is very subjectiv. What it's not subjectiv at all, is the beauty of the sound, full of armonics, the extraordinary pianissimi, the personal use of the rubato, and the steamy quality of his romantic performance. A must for any piano or Scriabin-lover

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scriabin! Scriabin! Scriabin!, March 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Great Pianists 91 (Audio CD)

There is very little to say about music such as this. This is what music is all about; stepping beyond ordinary thoughts and saying in tone what cannot be said in words. In Sofronitsky, Scriabin had the greatest gift a composer could ask for. A performer who transforms your creation into a language ALL can understand, and translates in such a way as to create a statement so definitive, that other performances immediately pale in comparison. If you've ever had the slightest inclination toward the torrid, claustraphobic world of Scriabin, heres the place to begin. And end.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars spiritual greatness, January 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Great Pianists 91 (Audio CD)

One of the glories of Philips' Great Pianists series is the opportunity to discover previously unfamiliar artists. So it is with me and this set of performances by Sofronitsky. These are truly remarkable interpretations. The Scriabin is simply without peer and the Chopin, while not as universally acclaimed, burns with a quiet intensity. I cannot recommend this set highly enough.