Search - Beethoven, Yudina :: Beethoven: Variations in C Op120 "Diabelli Variations" / Variations (15) and fugue on a theme from "Prometheus" for piano in E flat major ("Eroica Variations"), Op. 35

Amazing Phantom of the Piano

Denis Plutalov | Lincoln, NE | 04/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As long as it's true, that one should listen to good music in good performance, this is this case. After listening to Yudina you will immediately forget about the existance of any other pianist. Listening to her playing you get an impression, that Bach and Beethoven comissioned their works directly for this great pianist. Always deeply religious and highly spiritual, she was a kind of a dissident during the Soviet times,always forbidden to play recitals and even to make recordings! However, she had a lot of friends and now, thanks God, her poerformance stays alive.
I consider her "Diabelli-variations" recording the greatest, which was ever made. Her deeply philosophical conceptional approach to the piece combined with her female impulsiveness and passion makes an unforgettable impression on every listener.
ONE SHOULD ONLY START TO LISTEN TO YUDINA...
Denis Plutalov"

In your face

Anthony S. | Chicago, IL USA | 07/31/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Not much can be expected of Soviet sound from the sixties, but the performance is fairly aggressive for those who like their Beethoven so. Yudina certainly doesn't dwell on the humor in the work, but her outsized personality is apparent at all times."