Rachmaninov: Transcriptions, Corelli Variations [Import]

Olga Kern (Artist), Rachmaninoff (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: Rachmaninoff
• Audio CD (May 11, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
• ASIN: B00020HB3C
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #171,907 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #49 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Modern, 20th, & 21st Century > Instruments > Keyboard > Piano
  • #96 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Lullabies & Berceuse

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Cliburn Competition medallist Olga Kern plays Rachmaninov as if he wrote this music just for her. She's a virtuoso in the grand tradition, playing with a huge tone and brilliant fingerwork, captured with life-like realism by the engineers. The big work here is the Corelli Variations, a fiendishly difficult set of twenty variations on a Baroque sarabande, La Folia. The composer wrote it to wow his audiences, but it's also serious, full of with dark-toned poetry, serene lyricism, and a huge climax that ends in a poignant coda. Kern plays it with tremendous power and fleet agility. The rest of the disc consists of Rachmaninov's transcriptions of his own and other composers’ music, ranging from romanticized Bach to an opulent rewrite of Schubert's Wohin? to his elaborate cadenza for Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2. Kern plays the Liszt with plenty of dash, evoking its gypsy flavor and exploiting its opportunities for virtuosity. Here's one competition winner who seems destined for stardom. -- Dan Davis

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An impressive show of both technique and lyricism., July 30, 2004

By 

A Humble Musician (Ann Arbor, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rachmaninov: Transcriptions, Corelli Variations (Audio CD)

Since I saw Olga Kern perform at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, I've always been a fan, but many times a pianist's beautiful music is not portrayed well on recorded media. Not so with Kern - her passion and playfully executed technique are bright and clear on this disc.

Kern plays with natural ease, making many difficult passages seem light and easy under her touch. The Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream is a dazzling testament to this world-class pianist. Despite the piece's incredible difficulties, Kern seems only to notice the beauty of the tones and colors she produces. Throughout the Scherzo, she plays lightly and playfully, not losing the slightest bit of momentum from beginning to end.

My personal favorites on this CD are the Scherzo, the Partita (all three movements), and Lilacs and Dasies. I've never heard anybody play them with such delicacy as Kern manages to produce. All of the transcriptions are done wonderfully.

I don't like some parts of her Hungarian Rhapsody, though she is technically perfect. Her interperetation could be considered too mellow in some places, though overall it is still done well.

The Corelli Variations are simply beautiful. All the other recordings I've heard of them pale in comparison to Kern's rendition of this little-known piece. She drifts through this whole work as if she was born to play it.

An absolute must for any classical collection. I eagerly await further recordings from this marvellous pianist.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Olga does it again!, May 18, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Rachmaninov: Transcriptions, Corelli Variations (Audio CD)

This is another amazing CD demonstrating the skill of Olga Kern. It is filled with flash, fire, depth, and emotion. Olga knows how to play Rachmaninoff. This is a unique CD because it contains pieces that are not often heard. Olga's unparalled style also provides a new take on some familiar pieces. I have listened to this CD a countless number of times and know I will always enjoy it.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Olga is a Pianist among Pianists, November 2, 2006

By 

A. Cooper "Student" (Trinidad & Tobago) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rachmaninov: Transcriptions, Corelli Variations (Audio CD)

I was privileged to hear Olga perform at Zankell Hall at her Carnegie Hall debut several years ago. Her performances have a very rich individual flare, exactness and confidence. I was not disappointed with her then and I was not disappointed with this cd, Corelli Variations. On this cd, Olga's performances exude something definitely masculine. Though this may not appeal to everyone, it is simply a matter of every pianist having his individual style, feel and texture, if you will. Her playing is warm and vivacious at the same time, and what she says, she says beautifully. The programme is also quite captivating, especially the Bach transcriptions. Thank you Ms Kern!