Customer Reviews

Maurizio Pollini I (Great Pianists of the Century) - Chopin / Debussy / Liszt / Schumann / Stravinsky / Webern (2 CDs)

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Pollini's pianism is staggering. These two discs give a marvellous overview of his range and musicianship. His account of Petrouchka is almost superhuman in its power, accuracy and colour, and the Liszt Sonata is also highly virtuosic; but what this set gives as well is some idea of how poetically Pollini plays. The Schubert pieces are particularly fine in this regard, while in Schumann Pollini achieves a rare balance of technique, intellect and heart. His Debussy is cool, immaculate, above all modern; the one Chopin work in the programme gives some idea of why Pollini regards himself particularly as a Chopin pianist. For my money, however, he's just about the greatest all-rounder the piano has ever had.

This set is astonishing. The wonderful recording of the Schumann is eclectic, each movement carefully considered and superbly structured, whilst the Webern and Debussy display a level of musical understanding and integrity rarely seen in contemporary pianism. However, the finest items here are the Stravinsky and Liszt B minor. The first of these pretty much defies belief in terms of its technical accomplishment, but there is much more to it than just pyrotechnics. Each section is fiery and impassioned, with the final piece whisking the listener of his feet with sheer ferocity. The Liszt is even more remarkable. From the sullen, brooding introduction the almost unendurable tension never subsides. Right through to the mesmerising and deeply chilling final pages (one of the marvels of the entire pianistic canon) the desperate and often demonic drive of this recording is never easy listening, but as profound and unrelentingly intense a musical experience as one will find from any living pianist. In terms of insight, this knocks most other recordings (Brendel and Argerich especially) out of the park) and offers an interesting alternative to Richter's revelatory version on Philips. Outstanding in every respect.

The Liszt Sonata is overwhelming in the power and poetry that Pollini pours into this piece. The Schubert Pieces are also exquisite in their sheer beauty and yes, poetry. The Webern Variations are done thoughtfully. Petrouchka sounds like a romping fairy tale. Yep, all around it's a good buy and I find Pollini's artistry to be astoundingly complete!

The Liszt Sonata is overwhelming in the power and poetry that Pollini pours into this piece. The Schubert Pieces are also exquisite in their sheer beauty and yes, poetry. The Webern Variations are done thoughtfully. Petrouchka sounds like a romping fairy tale. Yep, all around it's a good buy and I find Pollini's artistry to be astoundingly complete!

Maurizio Pollini is best known for his performances of Chopin. The next volume in the series is actually also dedicated to Pollini as well and exclusively contains Chopin works. This volume shows Pollini's ability to play multiple composers works from Romantic period of Schubert, Schumann and Liszt to the more modern composers of Stravinsky and Debussy. The Schumann Sonata, Schubert Klavierstucke and Debussy etude excerpts are fantastic. For the Liszt Sonata I prefer performances by Vladimir Horowitz or Claudio Arrau, and the Petrouchka suite I find more suited in the hands of Emil Gilels. Maurizio Pollini though is one of the Great Pianists of the 20th Century and is worthy of 2 volumes dedicated to him. Fans of him shouldn't hesitate to pick up the next volume, as well as any of his many recordings for DG.