I just received this recording and it is proving to be a revelation to me on many different levels. I have long loved Vladimir Ashkenazy's piano recordings but his career as a piano virtuoso has taken a back seat to his conducting activities in the past 20 years. It is a rare privilege to hear piano playing of such distinction as I find on this album and it's an even rarer privilege to have Vladimir Ashkenazy, the virtuoso, back in such fine form. I can say that this recording is as fine as any he has given us in the 1960's and 1970's (his heyday of piano recording) and attests that though he is extremely busy as a conductor, Mr. Ashkenazy must still practice the piano rigorously as evidenced by his dazzling technique in this album of Sibelius piano pieces. The other great discovery for me is the pieces themselves. I am unfamiliar with most of them (with the exception of Valse Triste, which I know well in its orchestrated iteration) and I did not know before that Sibelius wrote such sensitive, beautiful and in many cases revolutionary music for the piano. I am enjoying these pieces immensely. Moreover, I must say that the label behind this recording, Exton, have not always found the perfect recipe, when it comes to delivering a natural, realistic recording balance for the piano, but they have really gone above and beyond in this case, as I have rarely heard such fine, natural piano sound. This recording gives the listener the perspective of hearing Mr. Ashkenazy play live in a small, intimate sounding acoustic. Firstly a recording studio in Jarvenpaa Talo, Finland for tracks 1-27 (on what sounds like a well tuned Steinway) and secondly Sibelius' piano (which sounds to my ear like an Erard) in his home in Ainola, Finland for track no. 28, Valse Triste. I would recommend this recording as a demonstration album for the SACD format itself, as I cannot now recall a more natural sounding piano recording among the SACD piano recordings that I have listened to in the past 18 years.
Now Playing: ERIK SATIE - Gnoissenes, etc. Reinbert de Leeuw The combination of this CD with the sounds of rain falling outside my window is magical. And so I am now experiencing magic!
I am also enjoying some rainy day magic...this disc seems to suit the mood and melody of the rain that's falling outside my window.
My rainy day piano marathon continues...this time with the vinyl pressing of this recording by Bella Davidovich.
Hm, there seems to be no interest here in this cycle or this set. Pity. Thought about it some more and decided not to get the set, at least not now. The fact that they released it on CD-Rs is a big issue for me, the more so since they're asking 116 Canadian dollars for it, plus a hefty shipping charge. On top of that I'd probably have to pay import charges (21% of its value plus a handling fee), so all in all it would be a very expensive CD-R set.
First listen to CD 1 from "Schnittke - The Ten Symphonies" on BIS. Symphony No. 1 performed by the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra led by Leif Segerstam.
I had a conversation today about classical music, and my wife needed to be reminded of some pieces, so I had to play her some Bugs Bunny cartoons that used some pieces....Then she remembered. I also remembered that my grandmother, who was a musician was an Arthur Schnabel disciple. Thoughts as I listen to this new arrival.
I am listening to Beethoven's Triple Concerto with Geza Anda, Wolfgang Schneiderman, and Pierre Fournier with the Berlin RSO conducted by Ferenc Fricsay. It's on vinyl on the DG Resonance label. I am enjoying it quite a bit. I haven't heard it all that often.
First listen to CD 14 from "RCA Living Stereo Vol. 1". "Heifetz Concertos" Sibelius Violin Concerto - Chicago Symphony Orchestra led by Walter Hendl Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 2 - Boston Symphony Orchestra led by Charles Munch Glazunov Violin Concerto - RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra led by Walter Hendl
First listen to CD 1 from "Ferenc Fricsay - Complete Recordings On DG Vol.2 - Operas, Choral Works." Bartok: Bluebeard's Castle performed by the Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin Featuring Heartha Topper and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau Cantata Profana performed by the RIAS-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin Featuring Helmut Krebs and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Now listening to CD 10 from "Mercury Living Presence Vol. 1". "Dvorak - Slavonic Dances" performed by the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra led by Antal Dorati.
Now on the turntable, "Sweet Philomel - Madrigals by John Ward" performed by The Consort Of Musicke led by Anthony Rooley on Hyperion. Featuring: (the lovely and talented) Emma Kirkby Evelyn Tubb Mary Nichols Andrew King Rufus Muller Alan Ewing
First listen to CD 4 from "Arturo Toscanini - The Complete RCA Collection". Beethoven - Symphonies 5 & 8 performed by the NBC Symphony Orchestra.
Now on the turntable, record 1 from "A Comprehensive Selection From The Fitzwilliam Virginal Book" performed by Joseph Payne on Vox.
