Martha Argerich: The Collection 1: The Solo Recordings [Box set]

Martha Argerich (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 30, 2008)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 8
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B001BWQVSG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,809 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #1 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Modern, 20th, & 21st Century > Forms & Genres > Sonatas
  • #2 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Fantasies
  • #9 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Sonatas > Sonatinas

Track Listings

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Editorial Reviews

For over 40 years Martha Argerich's recordings on Deutsche Grammophon have remained in the catalog and many are still best sellers. This 8-CD collection presents re-issues of eight solo LP recitals made between 1960 and 1983. The recordings have been remastered and are presented in chronological order, as originally programmed, with the original LP cover art on the individual sleeves. In addition, a booklet with new program notes and rare photos is included with the set. These performances are essential listening and constitute some of the greatest recordings of solo piano music available.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

164 of 168 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Argerich in solo recital 1960-86 -- a treasure, November 12, 2008

By 

Santa Fe Listener (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Martha Argerich: The Collection 1: The Solo Recordings (Audio CD)

The reissue market is bringing around some extraordinary bargains lately, and this is one. Here we have 8 recitals made for DG starting when the pianist wasn't yet twenty but already playing like a master. The older Argerich has released much more material on her second label, EMI, but DG can boast of riches enough. The new remastering is also welcome, since the earliest LPs were often hard and glassy. Now for the most part the piano sounds full and natural.

Here's the complete program, although the box set proceeds one recital at a time, chronologically, not one composer at a time:

Bach, J S:
Toccata in C minor, BWV911

Partita No. 2 in C minor, BWV826

English Suite No. 2 in A minor, BWV807

Brahms:
Rhapsodies, Op. 79

Chopin:
Scherzo No. 3 in C sharp minor, Op. 39

Barcarolle in F sharp major, Op. 60

Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58

Polonaise No. 7 in A flat major, Op. 61 'Polonaise-fantaisie'

Polonaise No. 6 in A flat major, Op. 53 'Héroďque'

Mazurkas Op. 59 Nos. 1-3

Piano Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 35 'Marche funèbre'

Andante spianato & Grande Polonaise, Op. 22

Scherzo No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 31

24 Preludes, Op. 28

Prelude in C sharp minor, Op. 45

Prelude No. 26 in A flat major, Op. posth.

Liszt:
Hungarian Rhapsody, S244 No. 6 in D flat major

Piano Sonata in B minor, S178

Prokofiev:
Toccata, Op. 11

Ravel:
Jeux d'eau

Gaspard de la Nuit

Sonatine

Valses nobles et sentimentales

Schumann:
Piano Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22

Kinderszenen, Op. 15

Kreisleriana, Op. 16

105 of 106 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a bargain!, March 17, 2009

By 

J. Grant "Reviews for the average Joe" (North Carolina, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Martha Argerich: The Collection 1: The Solo Recordings (Audio CD)

To get 8 discs of music of this quality at around $30 is a steal. DG is usually notorious for over pricing their single CD's (usually around $18 a pop, so this is indeed a very pleasant surprise. Then when you consider that the discs contain the mercurial, hot tempered, fire breathing dragoness in her prime it is simply a must buy. Of course, Argerich falls into the same category as other artists such as Heifetz, Pollini, Szell, Karajan, Furtwangler and others in that there is very little middle ground. You either love them or you hate them. I happen to be a huge fan of not only her solo work, but also her concertos and chamber works. I am continually amazed at her ability to play at such breakneck speeds without glossing over or bluring notes, even during live performances, the way some pianists (Horowitz) do. Of course there are the occasional missed keys, but who doesn't make a few miscues from time to time? Even the great Richter is guilty of this. All said, there isn't a disc in this set that isn't very good to great. Did I mention what an excellent bargain this box set was?

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fabulous Deal!!!, July 27, 2009

By 

Doug - Haydn Fan (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Martha Argerich: The Collection 1: The Solo Recordings (Audio CD)

Recently I checked Amazon's price for this set in Great Britain at Amazon UK and in Germany. In Britain this set now puts you back, when the Pounds are converted to dollars, a hefty 70 plus dollars, considerably more than twice the US price! In Germany at Amazon Germany the set runs @50 Euros, more than 71 dollars! So for about the one gazillionth time - it pays to shop around! Even within Amazon from country to country!

These DG performances capture the earlier recordings, before Argerich began shying away from solo appearances or recordings. As such they're a gold mine of great, powerful, personality-laden piano playing.

For those collectors who already have most of these this set certainly makes for an astonishing (and not unreasonably priced) gift for a classical music beginner!

Take adavantage of this one while Amazon continues to run such a crazy pricing emporioum from country to country.

(And for any movie buffs, don't fail to check out the Amazon UK DVD sets of David Lean and Powell/Pressburger, or the bargain prices for excellent transfers of Ophuls!)