Aria: Opera without Words

Vincenzo Bellini (Composer), Percy Grainger (Composer), Alfred Grunfeld (Composer), Erich Wolfgang Korngold (Composer), Yvar Mikhashoff (Composer), Giacomo Puccini (Composer), Giovanni Sgambati (Composer), Jean-Yves / Kerber, Randy Thibaudet (Composer), Richard Wagner (Composer), Jean-Yves Thibaudet (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Jean-Yves Thibaudet
• Composer: Vincenzo Bellini, Percy Grainger, Alfred Grunfeld, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Yvar Mikhashoff, et al.
• Audio CD (February 13, 2007)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B000M9BTPE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #114,630 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #4 in	Music > Classical > Featured Performers, A-Z > ( T ) > Thibaudet, Jean-Yves
  #32 in	Music > Classical > Featured Composers, A-Z > ( G ) > Grainger, Percy Aldridge
  #44 in	Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Modern, 20th, & 21st Century > Composers > Korngold, Erich Wolfgang

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet has had a lifelong devotion to vocal repertoire, and it was inevitable that he would record an "opera without words" program. He is co-arranger of several selections on this disc, which is dedicated by Thibaudet to all the singers with whom he has performed. Listened to in one sitting, the disc is perhaps too much of a good thing. Savored a couple of tracks at a time, however, it offers considerable pleasure. Among today's big-name pianists, Thibaudet is one of those most frequently praised for "singing tone." He displays it exquisitely throughout this program, beginning with the initial track, a fantasy on two arias from Samson et Dalila. Among the other tracks, a few do disappointingly little to enhance what one would find in a piano-vocal score ("Vissi d'arte" is an obvious example). On the other hand, Thibaudet's full technical arsenal is magisterially deployed in "Soirée de Vienne," a concoction of Johann Strauss waltz themes including that of Die Fledermaus; a "sonata-fantasy" based on Madama Butterfly -- at 12 minutes, the longest track on the disc; and Louis Brassin's formidable arrangement of the "Ride of the Valkyries," which Thibaudet tosses off with staggering ease. -- Roger Pines

Product Description
Jean Yves Thibaudet brings a lifelong passion for opera to his new CD of irresistible operatic melodies: Aria - Opera Without Words, an album that combines the intimacy of the piano recital with the drama and romance of the opera house. Following the huge success of his recording of the complete solo piano music of Erik Satie, this new album is a very personal collection of timeless classics and new transcriptions - including several by Thibaudet himself. Aria - Opera Without Words includes arrangements of many of the best-loved arias of opera including Puccini's "Vissi d'arte" from Tosca and "O mio babbino caro" from Gianni Schicchi, and the sparkling "Jewel Song" from Gounod`s Faust. Thibaudet even provides a thrilling portrait of Wagner's mighty "Ride of the Valkyries." These performances are not just arrangements of popular classics, they are also piano works in their own right.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thibaudet Does It Again!, February 20, 2007

By	J. B. Lepley - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Sensitive and beautifully expressive playing, Thibaudet captures the essence of the singers art with his piano. Recording quality excellent.
Can't stop listening to this superb recording. Buy it now!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Liszt, April 10, 2007

By	T. Schmalz (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

Jean-Yves Thibaudet's new recording is very pleasant to listen to. As expected, his playing is flawless and endlessly romantic in style; very poetic performances. His selection of repertoire is nice; however, the transcriptions themselves cannot compare to those by Liszt, in which Thibaudt dazzled listeners with his earlier recorded disc.

Overall, the playing is superb, the music is both warmly familiar and interesting and this is an excellent edition to the music lover's collection.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars music to relax , March 9, 2007

By	Nancy T. Kelly "merchant ivory romantic" (Pittsburgh PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

So easy to listen to. He plays so smoothly. Such a joy to hear.