Grieg: Lyric Pieces / Emil Gilels

Edvard Grieg (Composer), Emil Gilels (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Emil Gilels
• Composer: Edvard Grieg
• Audio CD (March 11, 1997)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001GX2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,927 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #35 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Short Forms > Character Pieces
  • #38 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Keyboard > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A top 10 piano recording of all time., March 16, 2003

By 

Todd Ebert (Long Beach California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grieg: Lyric Pieces / Emil Gilels (Audio CD)

Edvard Grieg's lyric pieces easily ranks in my top 5 or 10 collections of piano works. Moreover, I've listened to this particular recording by Gilels at least 50-100 times and seem to always find something new in each listening. In some sense this recording is a hidden treasure, in that whenever a piano composition finds its way into the mainstream, via movies, commercials, etc., one will often hear Bach, Beethoven, or Chopin (especially Chopin!), but rarely anything from this wonderful collection of pieces. All the better, since one does not need to lose the extra mental baggage that comes with the often unfortunate commercialized associations.

For me what makes this recording very special is the sensitivity and patience Gilels brings to each note of each piece. He has the rare ability to play soft, yet maintain the lyrical quality of each piece.

It should be noted that Leif Ove Andsnes has recently recorded for Angel Classics (57296) a collection of Grieg's lyric pieces which overlaps with this recording by about 10 pieces. This recording is also highly recommended, in that their styles are different enough to make them both independently interesting to listen to.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars musicianship defined, April 16, 2005

By 

J. Anderson (Monterey, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Grieg: Lyric Pieces / Emil Gilels (Audio CD)

The surpassing piano art of Emil Gilels keeps these Grieg miniatures free of sentimentality. Relying on lustrous tone, humor and breathtaking musical intelligence, Gilels sets an imcomparable standard wisely highlighted by chronological programming of his choices. The quizzical beauty of small music requires urgent musicianship of both composer and performer, something that defines this CD. I play it every chance I get. Gilels' playing is one of the wonders of the world; I'll always wish he'd recorded more repertory than he did. Thankfully we have this, his Mozart and especially his Ravel. Hard to be disappointed with a CD this fine.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lyric music, August 18, 2001

By 

Konstantinos (Corfu, Greece) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grieg: Lyric Pieces / Emil Gilels (Audio CD)

When Gilels went to record this selection from the Lyric pieces the work was thought more or less music for children. After, however, listening to the way that Gilels plays this music you become aware that this music has much more to give you. Somehow it makes you aware of the beauty that is all around you. Everything looks so beautiful when you listen to these pieces. This CD makes you fall in love with life again and again. Do I need to say more?