Maurizio Pollini I (Great Pianists of the Century) - Chopin / Debussy / Liszt / Schumann / Stravinsky / Webern (2 CDs)

Frederic Chopin (Composer), Claude Debussy (Composer), Franz Liszt (Composer), Franz Schubert (Composer), Robert Schumann (Composer), Igor Stravinsky (Composer), Anton Webern (Composer), Maurizio Pollini (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Maurizio Pollini
• Composer: Frederic Chopin, Claude Debussy, Franz Liszt, Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann, et al.
• Audio CD (November 10, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Polygram Records Philips
• ASIN: B00000DI3D
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #171,056 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #22 in	Music > Classical > Featured Performers, A-Z > ( P ) > Pollini, Maurizio
  #31 in	Music > Classical > Featured Composers, A-Z > ( W ) > Webern, Anton von
  #71 in	Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Etudes

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Piano Sonata No. 1 in F sharp minor ('Grosse Sonate'), Op. 11: Introduzione. Un poco adagio - Allegro vivace - Più lento

2. Piano Sonata No. 1 in F sharp minor ('Grosse Sonate'), Op. 11: Aria

3. Piano Sonata No. 1 in F sharp minor ('Grosse Sonate'), Op. 11: Scherzo. Allegrissimo ed Intermezzo

4. Piano Sonata No. 1 in F sharp minor ('Grosse Sonate'), Op. 11: Finale. Allegro un poco maestoso - Più allegro

5. Piano Sonata in B minor, S. 178 (LW A179): Lento assai - Allegro energico - Grandioso - Recitativo

6. Piano Sonata in B minor, S. 178 (LW A179): Andante sostenuto -

7. Piano Sonata in B minor, S. 178 (LW A179): Allegro energico - Andante sostenuto - Lento assai

8. Scherzo for piano No. 1 in B minor, Op. 20, CT. 197

Disc: 2

1. Pieces (3) for piano (impromptus), D. 946: No. 1 in E flat minor (Allegro assai - Andante - Andantino)

2. Pieces (3) for piano (impromptus), D. 946: No. 2 in E flat (Allegretto - L'istesso tempo)

3. Pieces (3) for piano (impromptus), D. 946: No. 3 in C (Allegro)

4. Arabeske for piano in C major, Op. 18

5. Variations for piano, Op. 27: 1. Sehr mässig

6. Variations for piano, Op. 27: 2. Sehr schnell

7. Variations for piano, Op. 27: 3. Ruhig, fliessend

8. Études (12) for piano in 2 books, L. 136: 7. Pour les degrés chromatiques

9. Études (12) for piano in 2 books, L. 136: 8. Pour les agréments

10. Études (12) for piano in 2 books, L. 136: 9. Pour les notes répétées

See all 16 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

When Maurizio Pollini took first prize in the 1960 Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw at age 18, the redoubtable Artur Rubinstein observed that "technically, he already plays better than any of us in the jury." Yet supplied with that foundation of a technique as solid as granite, Pollini is at the furthest remove from the superficial virtuoso showman. The intellectual's dream pianist, he is best known as the exemplar of an objective analytical acumen--similar in approach to Pierre Boulez--that is applied to an astonishing range of repertory, thanks to Pollini's catholicity of musical interests.

In his hands, the piano seems to become a kind of laboratory for scientific investigation. Consider how Pollini pursues his goal of "maximum clarity" here in works as diverse as Webern's Op. 27 Piano Variations, the selections from Debussy's Études, or the Schumann Arabeske (the last being one of Horowitz's most felicitous specialties). Although some detractors find a chilly absence of personality, Pollini's expression of the poetic intensity in Schubert's Drei Klavierstücke or Schumann's Piano Sonata No. 1 cuts to the heart of the early romantics, tottering on the edge with visionary concentration. His magnificent account of Liszt's B Minor Sonata leaves countless others in the dust, mapping out its larger structural edifice with an assured mastery that is one of Pollini's hallmarks (his father was, in fact, one of the leading Italian modernist architects of his day). And for sheer jaw-dropping pianism, listen to the orchestral trompe l'oreille Pollini achieves in the transcribed excerpts from Stravinsky's Petrouschka. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deserves ten stars, December 3, 1999

By	[e-mail] (United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

Pollini's pianism is staggering. These two discs give a marvellous overview of his range and musicianship. His account of Petrouchka is almost superhuman in its power, accuracy and colour, and the Liszt Sonata is also highly virtuosic; but what this set gives as well is some idea of how poetically Pollini plays. The Schubert pieces are particularly fine in this regard, while in Schumann Pollini achieves a rare balance of technique, intellect and heart. His Debussy is cool, immaculate, above all modern; the one Chopin work in the programme gives some idea of why Pollini regards himself particularly as a Chopin pianist. For my money, however, he's just about the greatest all-rounder the piano has ever had.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Stuff of Genius, November 26, 2001

By	Rupert Stone (Utopia) - See all my reviews

This set is astonishing. The wonderful recording of the Schumann is eclectic, each movement carefully considered and superbly structured, whilst the Webern and Debussy display a level of musical understanding and integrity rarely seen in contemporary pianism. However, the finest items here are the Stravinsky and Liszt B minor. The first of these pretty much defies belief in terms of its technical accomplishment, but there is much more to it than just pyrotechnics. Each section is fiery and impassioned, with the final piece whisking the listener of his feet with sheer ferocity. The Liszt is even more remarkable. From the sullen, brooding introduction the almost unendurable tension never subsides. Right through to the mesmerising and deeply chilling final pages (one of the marvels of the entire pianistic canon) the desperate and often demonic drive of this recording is never easy listening, but as profound and unrelentingly intense a musical experience as one will find from any living pianist. In terms of insight, this knocks most other recordings (Brendel and Argerich especially) out of the park) and offers an interesting alternative to Richter's revelatory version on Philips. Outstanding in every respect.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Astounding, January 5, 2000

By A Customer

The Liszt Sonata is overwhelming in the power and poetry that Pollini pours into this piece. The Schubert Pieces are also exquisite in their sheer beauty and yes, poetry. The Webern Variations are done thoughtfully. Petrouchka sounds like a romping fairy tale. Yep, all around it's a good buy and I find Pollini's artistry to be astoundingly complete!