Customer Reviews

Live from the Concertgebouw, 1978 & 1979

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Looking back, I've always had a piece of music at the ready to show skeptical friends how simply amazing the piano can be. And, looking back, it's always been a Martha Argerich performance. My first was the Prokofiev toccata from her wonderful DG "debut recital" CD, in DG's originals series, which introduced me to a whole new dimension in terms of what was possible with the instrument if you had the technique, musicality and power to use it to full advantage - in short, if you were Argerich. The second was her 3rd recording of the Tchaikovsky 1 Piano Concerto with Abbado, where the incredible musical virtuosity of the ending still leaves me breathless after hundred of listenings. But my new one is from this CD - her stunning recording of the 3rd of Ginastera's Danzas Argentinas, delivered with unbelieveable rhythymic vitality and power, yet astonishingly detailed and articulate.

Arguably the greatest pianist of all time, Argerich spends this entire recital demonstrating why. From Bach to Ginastera via Scarlatti, Chopin, Bartok and Prokofiev, her interpretations could not always be called conventional, but they always have a remarkably internal consistency - a sense of singular purpose and energy that picks the listener up and sweeps them along with her towards an inevitably fiery or beautiful (as appropriate) conclusion that leaves you awe-inspired. This recital is not music to relax to, or something to put on in the background. It's a disk to pay attention to, as though you were in the audience, and simply be blown away by the remarkable combination of music, technique and power that Argerich embodies. [A note for audiophiles: minor interruptions of audience noise in the quiet passages are included for the sake of realism. Get over it!]

For whatever reason, Argerich seems to reserve her unquestionable right to record only sporadically. The many holes in her recorded legacy of the solo and concerto repetoire, as it stands, will surely be a timeless regret to musicians and music lovers everywhere if she chooses not to commit more of her genuinely unique talent to disc. This recital, at least, plugs a few more gaps with her unique brand of genius. Just get it, and prepare to be amazed.

Solo performances by Martha Argerich have been documented as a rarity. Recorded live at the Concertgebouw, this disc shows her lively spirit as a performer who defies definition, bringing new life to the repertoire. Usually embracing the warmth and comradery of concerto and chamber music settings, Argerich escapes to perform a wonderful collection of virtuosic works for piano; works that allow her masterful technique to shine. A mystery to friends and admirers, she remains one of the most widely discussed and highly scrutinized pianist of our time. Through bold interpretation, her performance is electrifying and uniquely organic, fueled by an adventurous spirit. The clarity of her playing allows this music to be graceful without prettification. With flawless musicality, she interprets every phrase with a dramatic sense of rhythm, tempo, and articulation, defying the notion that she plays engulfed in her own volatility. From the pacing of Chopin and Bach, to the driving, playful textures of Prokofiev, Ginastera and Bartok, Argerich shows that her versatility as a concert pianist is near genius, full of unusual surprises with every twist and turn. This is a theatrical performance not to be missed.

Martha Argerich is certainly known for her power, her rich interpretations, and for her virtuosity, all of which can be heard on this disc to the highest calibre. I own several Argerich discs and this one rates up there with her recording of the Rachmaninoff Third in my books. She has real taste and it is striking in this recital compilation - her Bach is exquisite, lyrical, and my favorite Bartok is unbelievably powerful. She attacks the keyboard and it gives me the chills to listen to. Her versatility is second to none, and this live performance just helps to prove her place as the century's greatest pianist.

Though Argerich has played some of these pieces (Bach, Chopin scherzo) with more refinement elsewhere, there is nothing here that is less than spectacular. And some of it is surely as good as it has EVER been played; the Bartok and Ginastera in particular are at the summit of virtuosity and musical imagination. Warning: may be too intense for delicate constitutions who prefer milquetoast playing. For anyone else, don't hesitate for a second.

The recordings of Argerich are all too rare these days. So this is a welcome one. I suggest you try for a start her extraordinary technique as demonstrated in the Scarlatti Sonata. It is a truly staggering feat of pianism ! The only piece that really did not quite measure up to my expectations , was the c-minor Nocturne . A little bit too impetuous in a place or two , but extremely impressive none the less. This a recording NOT to be missed.

This CD, with live recordings from 1978 and 1979, is a showcase of Martha Argerich's astounding gifts but also of some of her evident shortcomings. The former are a technique as brilliant as any to be found anywhere in the world today, a real interpretative temperament and a natural musical instinct which is amongst the most unique in the annals of piano playing. The latter, a tendency towards senselessly fast and forced playing which often leads to distorted renditions reminiscent of the worst moments of Simon Barere and Gyorgy Cziffra.

The Partita n. 2 is good, reasonably spacious and even luminous in places. It's non-authoritative Bach playing but all the better for it. The Bartok sonata is the highlight of the disc: its motoric drive is relentless, its percussiveness notable without being unpleasant, and the overall technical vigour quite remarkable. Prokofiev's Sonata n. 7, op. 83 - probably the most popular of the Russian master's nine - is also impressive, with some brilliant fingerwork in spite of some minor slips and exciting throughout, though the final allegro precipitato sounds hurried rather than potent. Argerich also shows the expected understanding of her compatriot Alberto Ginastera's Danzas Argentinas, which she dispatches with flair and elan.

The Chopin, however, is a totally different story, and a sad one at that. This Scherzo n. 3 is much inferior to Argerich's previous recordings of the piece - made in 1961 and 1965 - and easily her worst attempt. She entirely sacrifices the narrative aspect of the work to speed and feverishness. The result is a shapeless, amorphous performance, with many blurred and technically inaccurate moments, and a tone with is at times hard-edged and banged. I can't imagine Chopin wanting that (ironically enough, the notoriously fast-fingered Barere recorded this same scherzo in the 30's with restraint, good taste and a luminous quality of tone).

All in all, a valuable CD, not only for the instances of great piano playing but also for revealing Argerich's highs and lows as a performer.

Sometimes, listening to Argerich can give one the impression that you are hearing THE way of playing a piece.
In this case, it happened with Chopin's beautiful nocturne, which i had already heard in various performances by other pianists (Rubinstein, Barenboim, etc)

I can't believe it's the same piece. In this recording, Argerich has managed to make this one explode like an atomic bomb, and leave me trembling.... Even in the slower parts the notes seem to flow like water... Simply wonderful.

The other works recorded are good, but the partita sounds better on DG's Studio recording, the Scherzo also sounds better on DG's Debut Recital... The Prokofiev sonata is included in this disc only, so if you want it, there you go...

Anyway, good cd, gret Nocturne, very good permormances all around.

The sound is a little crappy though, so it gets 4 stars instead of five. I really don't like EMI's live sound...

Thrilling, exciting, sexy, passionate, fiery, volatile, demanding, challenging, surprising, charismatic, exquisitely beautiful. Are we talking about the pianist or the playing? Well, both, of course. This recital from the Concertgebouw in the late 70's (actually put together from two recitals) amply demonstrates why Martha Argerich is one of the great pianists of our time.

For a start, there is the breathtaking range of repertoire here - from Bach to Bartok and Prokofiev and on to her fellow-countryman, Ginastera. All of them played with an innate sense of the different styles and character demanded. But all of them challenging stale preconceptions, shedding new light on the composers and their music. Even the most familiar pieces come up as fresh as though newly minted. The Chopin items are just as fresh and exciting as anything here: the C Minor Nocturne is a wonder of colour and tints, the darkness of its central section starkly contrasted with the elegance and smoothness of its outer parts. Equally the motoric rhythms of the first movement of the Bartok Sonata and the last of the Prokofiev display enormous power and energy.

With her reluctance to play/record solo recitals any more, live documents such as these Concertgebouw programmes are invaluable. If you've a taste for invigorating, refreshing piano playing of the highest standards (both of technique and interpretation), don't hesitate.

Being a Marth Argerich fan, i was disapointed with this CD. In the last movement of the Prokofiev, which is one of my favorite pieces of music, she loses control and the Great Finaly of the sonata is very sloppy. through out the CD backround noise is heard and for the encores i was amazed at how much whishpereing there was , even during her playing. i know thats something that she cannot help. overall her playing is much cleaner and neater on otherr CD's. i recommened her two Great Pianists of hte Twentieth Century CD's much more than this one. the First one has a much nicer recording of the Bach Partita.

Argerich is truly a wonder -- and this disc finds her at her best. Her passion, technical command, coloristic variety and rhythmic impetuosity are unmatched. Truly one of the greatest pianists of all time, Argerich's performances are not to be missed. If this album were priced ten times higher than it is, it would be worth it.