Customer Reviews

Rachmaninov: Transcriptions, Corelli Variations

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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.

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.

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!

what an interpretation - this is one of the most clear, precise renderings of the Rachmaninov -Corelli Variations that I have ever ever heard - listen in, and Olga Kern just transforms you - quietly.

Olga Kern, the young Russian pianist and Van Cliburn gold medal winner (2001), offers a wide-ranging selection of Rachmaninoff transcriptions, starting with J.S. Bach's superb Suite from the Partita in E major for violin. Many of these are favorites that the public has loved for decades: Rimsky-Korsakov's Flight of the Bumblebee, Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 with a cadenza by Sergei himself; plus lyrical and demanding arrangements from Bizet, Schubert, Mendelssohn, and Tchaikovsky. For this listener, the supreme moments are Olga's performance of Rachmaninoff's Variations on a Theme of Corelli, which have been recorded by many virtuosos. It was like hearing them for the first time--fresh, dynamic and radiantly powerful! If you are tired of reading wimpy movie, book and music reviews that leave you wondering whether to bite, here's one vote: say yes!
Beverly Crandall

I was lucky enough to receive an autographed copy of this cd from my brother for christmas, who went to see Olga live, and it definitely made my favorite X-mas gift list. This cd has excellent selections, Olga is a veritable phenomonon, her interpretation and control of the piano is superb, if you love excellently performed classical piano music, use harpoons, tranquilizer darts, or anything else you may need to get this cd. Even if it isn't (sigh) autrographed...

In addition to the already mentioned excellence of the performance, I might add that the sound, recorded in the studio at Skywalker Sound in Calif, is exemplary and very realistic. There is not a credit given re: the piano used - I would suspect it is a Yamaha, given similar recordings at this same venue.

Firstly i must say Im not very much fond of a solo piano but the first time i heard Olga Kern's Corelli Variations I immediately went to order this magnificent CD. Olga plays with maturity, virtoussity as if the music was written for her. I usually prefer the piano accompanied by a a violin or cello but this time around I was taken by surprise. ALL songs are out of this world I would not be able to describe the songs in musically terms but i know this is good. Go on thrill yourself with the best music. The inlay booklet is included with English, French& Dutsch translations with information about composer ,songs & artist.One might add that the outside cover of the CD is very artistically beautiful with red dress &shaded pianos background just like Ms Kern, so its not misleading, you know the saying "what u see is what u get".

Miss Kern is blessed with the technique to play this music any way she wants to.
TFB

I CANNOT RAVE ENOUGH ABOUT THIS ALBUM.
IT ABSOLUTELY LIFTS YOU UP AND KEEPS YOU THERE THROUGHOUT
MS. KERN'S SUPERB PERFORMANCES. THIS IS A RARE FIND
AND THERE IS NO DOUBT MS. KERN DESERVED THE GOLD MEDAL IN THE VAN CLIBURN COMPETITION. THIS ALBUM CONTAINS A WONDERFUL
VARIETY OF MUSICAL INTERPRETATIONS, ORIGINALLY TRANSCRIBED
BY THE GREAT RACHMANINOFF. THERE'S SELECTIONS BY BACH, SHUBERT,
RIMSKI-KORSAKOV, TSCHAIKOVSKY, KREISLER AND MUCH, MUCH MORE,
PLAYED WITH ALL THE BRAVURA & FABULOUS TECHNICAL SKILL MS. KERN CAN IMPART. THE ICING ON THE CAKE IS THE FINAL SELECTION; THE CORELLI VARIATIONS. BUY THIS ALBUM, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.