7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magnificent Prokofiev!!, January 8, 2007
This review is from: Piano Sonatas 1-9 / Visions Fugitives Op 22 (Audio CD)
I heard the Prokofiev 7th Sonata on the radio in what was the most virtuoso spellbinding performance I had heard since Horowitz recorded it in the 1940s. When the announcer said the name of the artist, I had never heard of him, but I promptly wrote the name down. It was Matti Raekallio.
I finally (years after the fact) tracked down this set and immediately put in the 7th sonata to see if it was as great as I had remembered it. YEP! IT was and more! This, without a doubt, is one of the greatest 7th sonatas ever put on record. You've got to hear it to believe it. The final precipatato movement is taken at such a breaknect speed that it's hard to believe he can get through it...but get through it he does in spectacular fashion.
The rest of the performances are just as good in the set with an especially compelling rendition of the complete Visions Fugitives.
I also got another recording of Raekellio playing Liszt and Brahms paganini etudes and it is just as impressive. If you get a chance to hear this remarkable artist, please do so. You won't be disappointed!
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