Search - Zoltán Kocsis, Bartok, Debussy :: Great Pianists 59

Great pianist plays Great (although not most popular) music

A. Braid | New York, NY | 08/03/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Zoltan Kocsis is far from world's most popular pianist but after hearing this compilation you might wish you had heard about him earlier. Kocsis is able to deliver precise and convincing renditions of these pieces that are fluid and heartfelt. Grieg's Lyric Pieces are played with clarity yet each one has a distinct character. Each piece is on this 2-CD program is a real treat. Debussy's Suite Bergamasque, a Kocsis staple, is performed beautifully here. Are you familiar with Dohnanyi's Variations? It turns one of the most trite themes (I resist telling you what it is, because I'll spoil the joke) into a Brahmsian waltz, hokey music box, toy march, placid chorale, and ominous horn calls. With all its tempo changes and intertwined soloist-orchestra passages, this piece requires a superior pianist, conductor and orchestra to come over well. You won't find a better recording than this one.



Much of the music here has a playful and or light-hearted nature and Kocsis is able to make this come through without making the music sound superficial. He succeeds wonderfully in this regard in the Liszt work, Debussy's Second Arabesque, Bartok's Roumanian Folk Dances and Dohnanyi's Variations. Though playful and fun, what really makes these works sparkle is Kocsis' rhythmic and technical precision, especially when he performs with the orchestral accompaniment.



This is a varied and stimulating collection of music played spectacularly well. You will be awed at Kocsis' technique and heartfelt interpretations. Another rare treasure here is Debussy's Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra, a work that should be better known but isn't, simply because it doesn't treat the piano as a solo instrument. In this work, and in the Dohnanyi, the orchestral accompaniment provided by the orchestra with Ivan Fischer conducting is top notch, and features especially nice playing from the brass and winds. Maestro Fisher is able to stick to Kocsis like glue through all the twists of Dohnanyi's Variations. I wish there were more Hungarian music here (Bartok, for instance) because that is really Kocsis' specialty. Buy this 2CD volume and then look for more Kocsis recordings elsewhere. Five stars."

A delight

Santiago Barcon | Mexico city | 08/20/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This double record by Mr. Kocsis shows the incredible ability and soul that he is able to achieve.The performances of Debussy are among the best available, and you get the Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra, not a common recorded work.The piano concerto 4 of Rachmaninoff is interesting, but other version are more romantic, better for my taste.On Dohnanyi, it is a pleasure the lightness of the play, and kids should love this work, not very common performed.Overall, a must have with excellent recording and presentation."