Murray Perahia - Great Pianists of 20th Century

Murray Perahia (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 10, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Philips
• ASIN: B00000DI34
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #237,436 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Sonata In B Minor, K. 27

2. Sonata In A, K. 212

3. Variations serieuses, Op. 54

4. Impromptu In B Flat, D. 935 No. 3

5. Ballade No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 23

6. Rhapsody In B Minor, Op. 79 No. 1

7. Consolation No. 3 In D Flat

8. Improvisations On Hungarian Peasant Songs, Op. 20: 1. Molto moderato

9. Improvisations On Hungarian Peasant Songs, Op. 20: 2. Molto capriccioso

10. Improvisations On Hungarian Peasant Songs, Op. 20: 3. Lento, rubato

See all 15 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Piano Concerto No. 25 In C, KV 503: 1. Allegro maestoso (Cadenza: Murray Perahia)

2. Piano Concerto No. 25 In C, KV 503: 2. Andante

3. Piano Concerto No. 25 In C, KV 503: 3. Allegretto

4. Variations In C Minor, WoO 80

5. Piano Concerto In A Minor, Op. 16: 1. Allegro molto moderato

6. Piano Concerto In A Minor, Op. 16: 2. Adagio

7. Piano Concerto In A Minor, Op. 16: 3. Allegro moderato molto e marcato

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Murray Perahia isn't about flash and, as this diverse collection of music reveals, the pianist's true brilliance is his dedication to the integrity of each composition. Scarlatti's Sonata in B Minor leads things off and reveals Perahia's recent love for baroque music (check out his excellent recording of Bach's English Suites Nos. 1, 3, & 6). Chopin's Ballade No. 1 seemingly unfolds itself in the pianist's hands. Perahia plays close attention to the composition's details but never loses sight of its free-spirited nature. Of course, nothing is quite so free-spirited here as Bartók's Improvisations on Hungarian Peasant Songs, where Perahia showcases his faultless technique on the dissonant and adventurous work. Another highlight is found on disc 2, where Perahia leads the English Chamber Orchestra in fine form through Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 25. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent summation of Perahia in his prime, August 28, 2009

By 

Santa Fe Listener (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Murray Perahia - Great Pianists of 20th Century (Audio CD)

It would be a great shame if Murray Perahia's best years are behind him. Afflicted with a serious thumb injury over a decade ago, he has become a more reflective, perhaps staid musician. But he's far from staid in these selections, which are lagely from the Eighties, his most exciting decade. Only the short Scarlatti sonoatas, the Schubert Impromptu, and the brahms Ballade are from the Nineties, ending with 1996. As his many fans know and appreciate, Perahia has always been a musician first and a virtuoso second. His seriousness is part of his demeanor, but he never carries it to the point of plodding earnestness. His touch in Mozart and Schubert placed him in the front rank of interpreters. After hearing the K. 503 piano concerto included here, one can venture with confidence into Perahia's entire Mozart cycle for sony. the bartok is unusual and dates from 1980, one of the first items recorded. The Mendelssohn Variations serieuses receives a riveting performance that shows how close to Beethoven Mendelssohn could be, on rare occasions.

In sum, this is a distinguished survey of Perahia's accomplishments in his young and middle years. they are very impressive. It was this kind of aristocratic but lively playing that made me an ardent fan in those years.