Nikolai Kapustin: Piano Music [Import]

Nikolai Kapustin (Artist), Marc-Andre Hamelin (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 13, 2004)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Hyperion UK
• ASIN: B00026W640
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #52,098 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Remarkable works, Hamelin shines, August 2, 2004

By 

John Q. Public (Willington, CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nikolai Kapustin: Piano Music (Audio CD)

True, Russian composer Nikolai Kapustin is not a household name, but with CDs like this, hopefully his time will come (and soon). How should this album be recommended? The draw will either be Kapustin or Hamelin (or both) - and review boards are already flooded with superlatives for Marc-Andre Hamelin, the Canadian sensation with a mind-boggling technique. That said, I'll say what I can about Kapustin's works to offer a recommendation, as there is far less about him and his compositions.

Kapustin is often labeled as a 'jazz-' or a 'crossover-' composer. I think that the latter is a more appropriate label. True, many of his compositions are jazzy, but he certainly does not limit himself to this style, and the idiomatic well from which he draws is so deep, that no listener will be displeased. Reviewers often mention Art Tatum, Gottschalk, Jelly Roll Morton, Gershwin, Joplin, and Zez Confrey as those whose sounds are evoked in Kapustin - his works range over blues, jazz, ragtime, and 'cocktail bar nonchalance' themes in addition to delving into more modern ideas.

The Variations Op. 41 and 8 Concert Etudes, Op. 40 are indicative of the more jazzy side, as is the Bagatelle No. 9. The Suite in the Old Style, Op. 28 and Sonata No. 6 are, while excellent compositions, more on the borderline, thematically, between jazz and 20th-century. Recordings of these works already exist (all of them performed by Kapustin, on Russian labels), so the real gems of Hamelin's disc are the Sonatina, Op. 100 and 5 Etudes for Piano in Different Intervals, Op. 68. The Sonatina is a delightful Haydn-esque romp, very light, and the Interval Etudes are some of the most difficult, harrowing, and breathtaking etudes I've heard. The final 'Etude in Octaves' is, as another reviewer put it, "the octave study to end all octave studies," which Hamelin plays to perfection.

Yes, I'll admit I am a fan of Kapustin's music (I own 7 or 8 albums) so my recommendation is slightly biased, but all those whom I've leant this CD to have been astonished. I fully recommend this album - but have a listen to some audio samples first to judge for yourself. Tower Records has streams of all the tracks, as well as Steven Osborne's wonderful Hyperion Kapustin album. The Boheme Music website has 2 whole albums available to stream with Kapustin himself as the composer, including works featured on this disc. Check them out. Not convinced? As for a proper review of this album (this is my first; apologies to all!) and more information, please visit the Hyperion Records website for Jed Distler's comments. Happy hunting!

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Gospel of Nikolai Kapustin is further spread!, December 17, 2004

By 

Darin Tysdal (Bloomington, MN 55420) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Nikolai Kapustin: Piano Music (Audio CD)

I have Marc-Andre Hamelin to thank for introducing me to Kapustin's music. He played a work of his as an encore on one of his concerts, and the whole audience was just floored! After much searching I was able to find recordings and printed music. His music is the closest to Gershwin as I have been able to find. His fusion of Jazz and Classical music is a wonder in itself. Hamelin picks some very difficult as well as a couple of rather easy pieces of Kapustin's to record. The Toccatina is the simplest piece of all, very jazzy and almost "cute". The Variations is a mini-catalog of all of Kapustin's styles, from the romantic to boogie-woogie to Errol Garner-style jazz. With the etudes, Kapustin moves more towards the etudes of Lyapounov and Medtner. There are Latin influences, Broadway show tunes, you name it! All very difficult! I've learned some of them and played them in concert and in competition. Do not be afraid of this music-he is a major discovery and we need to spread the gospel of Kapustin around the world! You can find other recordings on Ebay, and at HMV in Japan by Kapustin himself. Groth Music in Bloomington also sells his piano music and our website is www.grothmusic.com. It's hard music, but it's worth the effort! More recordings, please!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Technical and Artistic Brilliance from Two Master Pianists, April 14, 2007

By 

William E. Wyness (Yellowknife NT Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nikolai Kapustin: Piano Music (Audio CD)

Nothing inspires and challenges a piano virtuoso like Hamelin as much as discovering a magic repertoire of another technical virtuoso. Kapustin's monumental technical capabilities, which few of us had the opportunity to hear directly, are presented by Hamelin with percussive athleticisn and intricate precision of execution. For all of us who want to be an inspired devotee to what can best be described as an early "post modern" take on pianoforte, which is Kapustin's legacy, this first collection from Hamelin egages the listener, then inspires, awes and satisfies with flawlessly executed technique, sensitive mood shifts, and dynamic voicing that confidently and potently declares, 'this is the new world, and you are in it'!Nikolai Kapustin: Piano Music