Zoltan Kocsis: Great Pianists of the 20th Century, Vol. 59

Zoltan Kocsis (Artist), Bartok (Artist), Debussy (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 9, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B00000I0LG
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #93,825 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Lyric Pieces, Op. 43: 1. Butterfly

2. Lyric Pieces, Op. 43: 2. Solitary Traveller

3. Lyric Pieces, Op. 43: 3. In My Native Country

4. Lyric Pieces, Op. 43: 4. Little Bird

5. Lyric Pieces, Op. 43: 5. Erotikon

6. Lyric Pieces, Op. 43: 6. To The Spring

7. Roumanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56: 1. Stick Dance

8. Roumanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56: 2. Sash Dance

9. Roumanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56: 3. In One Spot (Stamping Dance)

10. Roumanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56: 4. Horn Dance

See all 24 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Piano Concerto No.4 In G Minor, Op. 40: 1. Allegro vivace. Alla breve

2. Piano Concerto No.4 In G Minor, Op. 40: 2. Largo

3. Piano Concerto No.4 In G Minor, Op. 40: 3. Allegro vivace

4. Prelude In C Sharp Minor, Op. 3 No. 2

5. Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14

6. Fantasy For Piano And Orchestra: 1. Andante ma non troppo - Allegro giusto

7. Fantasy For Piano And Orchestra: 2. Lento e molto espressivo

8. Fantasy For Piano And Orchestra: 3. Allegro molto

9. Variations On A Nursery Song, Op. 25: Introduzione. Maestoso

10. Variations On A Nursery Song, Op. 25: Tema. Allegro

See all 22 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great pianist plays Great (although not most popular) music, August 3, 2002

By 

A. Braid "abraid" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Zoltan Kocsis: Great Pianists of the 20th Century, Vol. 59 (Audio CD)

Zoltan Kocsis is far from world's most popular pianist but after hearing this compilation you might wish you had heard about him earlier. Kocsis is able to deliver precise and convincing renditions of these pieces that are fluid and heartfelt. Grieg's Lyric Pieces are played with clarity yet each one has a distinct character. Each piece is on this 2-CD program is a real treat. Debussy's Suite Bergamasque, a Kocsis staple, is performed beautifully here. Are you familiar with Dohnanyi's Variations? It turns one of the most trite themes (I resist telling you what it is, because I'll spoil the joke) into a Brahmsian waltz, hokey music box, toy march, placid chorale, and ominous horn calls. With all its tempo changes and intertwined soloist-orchestra passages, this piece requires a superior pianist, conductor and orchestra to come over well. You won't find a better recording than this one.

Much of the music here has a playful and or light-hearted nature and Kocsis is able to make this come through without making the music sound superficial. He succeeds wonderfully in this regard in the Liszt work, Debussy's Second Arabesque, Bartok's Roumanian Folk Dances and Dohnanyi's Variations. Though playful and fun, what really makes these works sparkle is Kocsis' rhythmic and technical precision, especially when he performs with the orchestral accompaniment.

This is a varied and stimulating collection of music played spectacularly well. You will be awed at Kocsis' technique and heartfelt interpretations. Another rare treasure here is Debussy's Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra, a work that should be better known but isn't, simply because it doesn't treat the piano as a solo instrument. In this work, and in the Dohnanyi, the orchestral accompaniment provided by the orchestra with Ivan Fischer conducting is top notch, and features especially nice playing from the brass and winds. Maestro Fisher is able to stick to Kocsis like glue through all the twists of Dohnanyi's Variations. I wish there were more Hungarian music here (Bartok, for instance) because that is really Kocsis' specialty. Buy this 2CD volume and then look for more Kocsis recordings elsewhere. Five stars.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent, March 17, 2006

By 

someone (Turkey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zoltan Kocsis: Great Pianists of the 20th Century, Vol. 59 (Audio CD)

There are many big names in this collection and many of them very well known. I think -maybe I am wrong- Kocsis is not in the rank of most famous artists. But one must confess that he is an extraordinary pianist. Every piece in the first cd, Grieg, Debussy, Liszt and Bartok is wonderful. Especially, his Debussy is great. He deserved to known much better. But, does it matter? Ofcourse not.
Desert island disc!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delight, August 19, 2000

By 

Santiago Barcon "Santiago" (Mexico city) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Zoltan Kocsis: Great Pianists of the 20th Century, Vol. 59 (Audio CD)

This double record by Mr. Kocsis shows the incredible ability and soul that he is able to achieve.

The performances of Debussy are among the best available, and you get the Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra, not a common recorded work.

The piano concerto 4 of Rachmaninoff is interesting, but other version are more romantic, better for my taste.

On Dohnanyi, it is a pleasure the lightness of the play, and kids should love this work, not very common performed.

Overall, a must have with excellent recording and presentation.