Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 1; Haydn: Piano Concerto No. 11 [Import]

Franz Joseph Haydn (Composer), Dmitry Shostakovich (Composer), Jörg Faerber (Conductor), Wurttemberg Chamber Orchestra (Heilbronn) (Orchestra), Martha Argerich (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Martha Argerich
• Orchestra: Wurttemberg Chamber Orchestra (Heilbronn)
• Conductor: Jörg Faerber
• Composer: Franz Joseph Haydn, Dmitry Shostakovich
• Audio CD (November 1, 1994)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Dg Imports
• ASIN: B000001GLS
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #196,886 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars from A to Z with Argerich, June 25, 2001

By 

Alejandra Vernon "artist & illustrator" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 1; Haydn: Piano Concerto No. 11 (Audio CD)

Martha Argerich tackles these 2 diverse concertos with equal ease and brilliance, her dazzling, flawless technique serving both composers well. Though I normally don't like such a change in era and mood on a single CD, it somehow works on this one.

The Shostakovich, though it has a beautiful opening melody, and a slow, sorrowful second movement, has for the most part such rambunctious playfulness, with it's almost comical trumpet solo (by Guy Touvrow) that one can almost pictue acrobats and clowns...the music overflows with humor and life, and is perfect for Martha's fleet fingers.

The Haydn is a lovely piece in the traditional classical mode, with a melodic second movement adagio and a robust rondo finish...it's a delight. Recorded in '93, the sound is excellent, and the total running time 41:44. The small booklet insert has a short piece on the music, and another on Argerich, by Jeremy Siepmann, repeating the amazing rumor that she doesn't practice...and that she is "...one of those rare and enviable artists whose seemingly limitless technique comes as naturally to her as breathing".

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars odd pairing/great album, February 10, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 1; Haydn: Piano Concerto No. 11 (Audio CD)

I remember reading the Gramophone review for this album when it was intially released, and the critic wasn't too happy with it, the major complaints being Argerich's apparent unwillingness to play along with a lackluster orchestra and indifferent trumpeter. After hearing the album for myself, I wonder what that particular critic had for lunch.

I've heard enough versions of the Shostakovich concerto to put this one at the top of my list, even though I'd have to give Carol Rosenberger the top award for playing the Texas-saloon-type passage in the final cadenza with a lot of "swing".
Yes, Martha Argerich *does* sound like she's just one small step ahead of everyone else playing; in a way, it's unavoidable when you consider her flawless and superhuman technique. It's an adventurous performance, sounding as live as it could be for a non-live recording.
The Haydn, on the other hand, gets high marks from me for being a tight, shining performance, plus the rare treat of hearing a non-traditional cadenza (by Wanda Landowska, I think) in the slow movement. The concerto (Haydn's most popular) is flawlessly performed, and very enjoyable.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Haydn, far beyond "wit, charm and grace.", August 29, 2005

By 

M. Stample (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 1; Haydn: Piano Concerto No. 11 (Audio CD)

A word of caution: ignore, completely and without reservation, the comments of our first reviewer who dismissed Ms. Argerich's performance of the Haydn as lacking in "wit, charm and grace." For this performance embodies so much more than these (relatively) minor virtues that he appears to have utterly missed the point. Friends, this is a Haydn you haven't heard before. This is a Haydn you must hear. The playing is Dazzling. Breathtaking. Sublime. No collection of Haydn, or Argerich, should be without this CD.