Search - Denis Matsuev :: Tribute to Horowitz

More recordings please!

J. Loke | Kailua, HI United States | 02/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here we have yet another extremely gifted pianist trained at the famous Moscow Conservatory. At 29, Matsuev already has 1st prize at the Tchaikovsky Competition under his belt and a very bright career ahead of him. With regards to his technique, he's in the same league as Arcadi Volodos and Evgeny Kissin. All three have an absolutely limitless technique.



Take for example his Mephisto Waltz where: his runs are even and sparkle, and at the same time are played at an unbelieveable speed; he shakes out the octave passages with no sign of difficulty; the more instrospective passages are played with a beautiful tone and he takes his time to experience the softer side of Liszt. I haven't heard a Mephisto #1 played this flawlessly since Willam Kapell's reference recording.



Of the endless recordings of the Liszt 2nd Hungarian Rhapsody, this one stands out among them as one of the most satisfying, brilliant, and interesting. I'm comparing Matsuev's recording to ones by Hamelin, Rachmaninov, Olga Kern, Cziffra, Horowitz, Wild. Matsuev always leans towards faster tempos but they never come off as showy, tacky, or beyond his physical means. In this piece, he chooses to play his very own cadenza. Listening to this first ever "jazzy" cadenza for the 2nd Hung. Rhap. does nothing but bring a smile to my face with each listening. His playing is so fast and splattered with notes in some spots, it's hard to tell what he's actually doing. Nonetheless it's imaginative, fresh, and original.



I think Horowitz himself would have put his stamp of approval on Matsuev's take on his Carmen Variations. When comparing Volodos' version to this one, I can't say I come up with an obvious choice of preference. Both are technically faultless, but Matsuev's reading contains a few higher octane moments. The piece is taken at a brisk tempo and enjoys repeat listenings.



So finally someone records Grigory Ginzburg / Rossini transcription of The Barber of Seville. I first heard this piece performed in LA in 2002 by the Ukranian pianist Evgeny Mikhailov as an encore. Incidentally, he was the 1st prize winner of the 1st International Rachmaninov Competition in Pasadena, CA. (By the way, Mikhailov has a stunning live performance of the Scriabin Piano concerto on cd.) He absolutely brought the house down after the last note was heard. The audience went wild with applause. It's amazing just how well these Soviet pianists can play. Not since that concert have I heard this piece played either on recording or in concert. Matsuev matches, or maybe even surpasses Mikhailov's reading of this piece of insurmountable difficulties. Everything is there: the lighting fast arpeggio runs, octave passages, scintillating thirds and runs, etc...

This cd comes with the highest recommendation in a sea of spouting piano virtuoso recordings. Don't mind the relatively high price. The enjoyment you will receive is well worth price.

"

This is pianism, and I like it

Nicole Berard | 09/28/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The only thing preventing me for the 5th star is:



Dante fantasy: it's perfect, technically and "emotionnally". I still prefer Brendel.

Mephisto: why didn't he play the Horowitz version, with its fabulous octavas ending?? He can do that!!

HR2: what a cadenza! This may seem a little fashionable, but very interesting indeed!

Bizet: Matsuev's Carmen is definitely a must - just look at people playing the notes on YouTubes, and you'll be set

Rossini: I heard it in a recital before this record. She (the pianist) played this piece in an other way, but Matsuev is interesting indeed.



Keep up the good work!



Jean-Pascal"

Saw Matsuev in Concert then Bought This CD

Opa | NYC | 12/01/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD does what I had hoped. We were delighted with the concert and hoped that the CD would capture at least some of the excitement and show some of the virtuosity we had experienced in person. It does. It also has some of the encore pieces he played at the concert. An absolute joy."