Customer Reviews

Tschaikowsky and Prokofiev:Klavierkonzerte

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The Tchaikovsky is one of my favourite concertos and is my main concern and consideration here. My standard, reference, definitive and ultimate recording has always been the classic performance by Van Cliburn with Kiril Kondrashin and the RCA Symphony Orchestra in 1958 (now remastered on SACD). Recently, I find myself listening to this work by various other artistes. I was delighted by the variety of choices available to satisfy individual preferences and personal tastes. I found a real gem earlier in the live performance by Martha Argerich, which gave me immense musical pleasure. Now in this CD, I discovered yet another gem. How lucky I am!

This performance is overall more relaxed, minus the almost palpable emotional tension and excitement of the live concert. It is however no less intense, engaging and `electrifying'. Without a live audience, the background silence is total, thus allowing the music to comes through clearly and vividly. The recording is highly dynamic, transparent, detailed and smooth. All this allowed me to sit back and savour the music. The orchestration was particularly full, lush and detailed such that I find myself hearing so much more, particularly in the lower registers. As regards to the sound of the piano, I still prefer that in the live performance which seems tonally closer to those heard in older recordings by Van Cliburn and Byron Janis (not of the Tchaikovsky). The sound here seems louder, heavier, more `modern' I believe, and less rich and full in comparison. I think this has to do with the age or brand of the piano rather than the playing.

In the end, I find it is like comparing white and red wine. Both are derived from the same fruit but have a vastly different character. One is clear, transparent, slightly sweet and dry, cool, smooth whilst the other is rich, warm and full-bodied. You will enjoy one or the other more depending on the occasion, taste and mood. Both are excellent and satisfying. Another allegory I offer is that both are dazzling, brilliant diamonds albeit with a different cut, number of facets. I simply want both, without a question!

In my books and on a scale of 1 to 100, this CD get 90 marks compared to 95 marks for the live recording (the only 100 marks awarded for the Tchaikovsky PC is Van Cliburn's version). Both CDs are certainly reference, if not definitive, recordings. So my recommendation is obvious, get both CDs and enjoy the best of both worlds!

P.S. The only caveat I like to add to my highly favourable comments is this. For audiophiles i.e. those with highly tuned and sensitive ears, I detected low level hiss that is acutely audible at high volume and in the quieter passages. Also, there appear to be a overall digital hardness that is typical of some early CD, and in particular DG, pressings. Some may find this unacceptably distracting and irritating, so be forewarned.

In my opinion, this astonishing recording of Tchaikovsky`s Piano Concerto No.1 is quite possibly one of the finest versions of ANY piano concerto there is.
There are others which are marvels of technicality, or performances of ideal examples of living poetry.
Argerich`s is incredibly both. I have not yet found any other recording of Tchaikovsky`s piano concerto which rivals this one.
A cornerstone of the very best of classical music.

I'll always remember the moment I first heard this Tchaikovsky recording. The only one I find in any way camparable in quality is Ashkenazy/Maazel. What can I say? Argerich's playing is just so supernatural, it's gold!

When I heard Argerich's Tchaikovsky's piano concerto, I stopped looking for the one that I could call "mine." Without going into a lot of details, I can say that I haven't heard anyone play this better, and precious few can even come close to this one.

Buy it. You will not be disappointed.

Argerich is probably one of best pianists that I have ever heard on a recording. The way she plays makes the music come alive and it shows the true brilliance behind such composers such as Tchaikovksy and Prokofiev. This is a great recording when one needs to write a term papaer or needs time to reflect on life, the world or whatever comes to ones mind at the time.