Search - Emil Gilels, Bach, Busoni :: Emil Gilels: Great Pianists of the 20th Century Vol 1

Mighty Fine!

J. Anderson | Monterey, CA USA | 09/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Emil Gilels' Ravel is always shattering (his old Melodiya recording of the Pavane can only be characterised as made by god!) and this recording's Ravel is no exception. To my mind, Gilels is the supreme pianist of the last century, and relatively unappreciated in the West, due partly to his, as well as Furtseva's, decision not to tour much during the Soviet years, and partly, I've always suspected, because he clearly is a kind of anti-Russian pianist, I'm saying, relative to the mold of Horowitz, Ashkenazy, Kissin, etc. Gilels commands by the subtlest suggestion, persuasion of a kind no longer heard on the classical stage. The Bach on this recording is a lesson for every pianist, truly. An unbearably perfect RESPECT on Gilels' part for Bach's thought, even, I think, an intrinsic desire for Bach's religiousness! The D Major is mesmerizing. Having heard it, you will never forget it. The Debussy (Images I) is everything it can be, more finely sifted than Gieseking's, and the Mozart -the amazing 27th with that loping First Movement- is miraculous, rich and rhythmical! This is fine stuff, people! The Weber (Horowitz liked this piece, too!) is so brilliant, it barks! The audacious last movement will knock your socks off! But for me, the Ravel is everything; `Jeux d'eau' sparkles like the morning, and the `Alborada' has the most majestic dancing heart- it'll take your breath away. Get all the Gilels you can find, recordings of this man's art are not abundant, but the rewards are life-altering."