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Monthly Archive: June 2007

“Rondo Brillante” – Early Romantic Works for Piano and Orchestra = REINECKE: Concertstueck; CZERNY: Introduction and Rondo Brillante; HUMMEL: Introdzione & Rondo Brillant; WEBER: Concertstueck – Joshua Pierce, p./ Slovak State Phil./Bystrik Rezucha – MSR

by | Jun 11, 2007 | Classical CD Reviews

A quintet of virtuoso concert works by a diverse set of Romantic composers, a series of grandiose gestures not particularly anchored by profound ideas, but certainly demonstrative of digital prowess.

Arcadi Volodos Plays LISZT = Vallee d’Obermann, Il Penseroso, St. Francis d’Assise, Bagatelle ohne Tonart, Bagatelle sans tonalité, Hungarian Rhapsody No. 13, Sposalizio, “Weinen Klagen Sorgen Zagen” (Prelude after Bach), Funérailles etc. – Sony Classical

by | Jun 8, 2007 | SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews

Volodos Plays LISZT = Vallee d’Obermann, Il Penseroso, St. Francis d’Assise – le prédication aux oiseaux, Bagatelle ohne Tonart, Bagatelle sans tonalité, Hungarian Rhapsody No. 13, Sposalizio, “Weinen Klagen Sorgen Zagen” (Prelude after Bach), Funérailles, La lugubre gondola No. 2, En reve – Nocturne – Arcadi Volodos, piano – Sony Classical Multichannel SACD 88697065002, 76:16 *****: This is a cause for celebration by SACD fans – on the heels of the recent launch of the Mahler SACD series by the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra on RCA comes the first Sony Classical SACD in a very long time! I notice these SACDs are all coming from Europe; this one was recorded in Berlin.  I suspect there was some insistence from the Europeans in view of the better SACD sales that occur outside of the U.S. St. Petersburg-born Volodos has been a pianistic sensation ever since his first Sony recording in 1997.  His outstanding technical abilities are balanced with a well-developed depth of expression and sensitivity.  He was not following a soloist’s career because he refused to enter piano competitions (good for him!).  He happened to give a short audition to a Sony Classical executive and was immediately signed to a long-term contract. […]