Mikhail Pletnev ~ Domenico Scarlatti - Keyboard Sonatas

Mikhail Pletnev (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 9, 2001)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00005IA25
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,688 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Son in D, K443

2. Son in d, K1

3. Son in G, K283

4. Son in G, K284

5. Son in b, K27

6. Son in E, K380

7. Son in A, K24

8. Son in c#, K247

9. Son in f, K519

10. Son in F, K17

See all 15 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Son in D, K96

2. Son in G, K146

3. Son in b, K87

4. Son in G, K520

5. Son in c, K11

6. Son in f, K386

7. Son in f, K387

8. Son in A, K268

9. Son in d, K141

10. Son in A, K113

See all 16 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scarlatti chock-full of color and fantasy, April 28, 2002

By 

Steven Eldredge (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mikhail Pletnev ~ Domenico Scarlatti - Keyboard Sonatas (Audio CD)

I admit I prefer my Scarlatti played on the piano, and I have always been fond of my recordings by Horowitz, Tipo, de Larrocha, Schiff, etc. This wonderful recording by Pletnev might just be my favorite though, there is so much beauty, fantasy, color and sheer imagination in his playing. He takes some chances in his interpretations, and I don't think he ever misses his mark. A lovely recording, and I am glad to see that it has been re-released. Get yourself a copy!

21 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scarlatti at Everyone's Best, October 16, 2004

By 

J. F. Laurson (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mikhail Pletnev ~ Domenico Scarlatti - Keyboard Sonatas (Audio CD)

If anything can ever convince the purist that Scarlatti on the Piano is no sin, it would be this marvel of a disc. Mikhail Pletnev, no stranger to controversy (as in his recent Schumann account), takes a delightfully fresh approach to these pieces and won me over in no time - even though I grew up on vinyls of my Uncle playing Scarlatti on the Harpsichord. Even Horowitz's famous recording cannot compare to this 2-CD-set, now re-issued at a ridiculously low price. Music that sparkles like this is not often found - and once you stop missing the harpsichord in these works, you will find yourself listening to this performance over and over, without getting tired of it. Do not be fooled into thinking that - as baroque music - this might make suitable background music for a day in the office: You will not get any work dnoe as you listen with delight.

P.S. A word to Pogorelich's performance: When Ivo Pogorelich is described as a "unique" pianist, it isn't always laude that carries with that description. But he's always got something to say - and I, for one, rather like his Chopin Préludes op.28 and his Liszt Sonata in b-minor. What a surprise then, to hear him in these Domenico Scarlatti Sonatas, recorded over a decade ago, where Pogorelich is one of the least indulgent players in the slow sonatas. Scarlatti's 555 (!) keyboard sonatas, written for the harpsichord and clavicembalo, work marvelously on the modern grand piano (although it took me some time to get used to it) and sound eerily modern at times. One of Vladimir Horowitz's best recordings is one with Scarlatti sonatas and Mikhail Pletnev's two-disc recording of Scarlatti Sonatas was just re-issued at budget price. Pogorelich's one-hour recording seems to overlap more with Pletnev's than it actually does, and he is every bit as good as his compatriot. Unlike Pletnev, he doesn't exaggerate every contrast in the sonatas - and he has funny ideas about the meaning of Allegro in Sonata K 8, but all in all, his playing is more like Pletnev's than it is different. I find both superb - and am tempted to give a slight edge to Pletnev over Pogorelich. It is a great Scarlatti CD to have, but at twice the price with half the music of the Pletnev re-issue, it can't be a first choice.

There are others well worth having, too. Christian Zacharias on EMI or MDG, Maria Tipo for on the EMI "Encore" budget label, the crazy Landowska on her Pleyel (including anti-aircraft guns going off over paris in K499 - EMI)... but with Pletnev (or, yes, Pogorelich) you'll be set for a while.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Since Gould, February 27, 2009

By 

John W. Logan "giovanni-acuto" (brentwood, tennessee United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mikhail Pletnev ~ Domenico Scarlatti - Keyboard Sonatas (Audio CD)

Some of us old folks remember the first release of Gould's "Goldberg Variations" in 1957. This recording should, in my opinion, be of equal impact on the world of classical pianism. It is, quite simply, astounding!
Basta! Genug! Assez! Enough! Just listen.