Search - George Frederick Handel, Andrei Gavrilov, Sviatoslav Richter :: Handel: Keyboard Suites, Vol. 1

Collector's Item! Richter and Gavrilov play Handel's Keyboar

dv_forever | Michigan, USA | 08/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This used to be available in EMI's double forte series. It went out of print but is now thankfully available in EMI's super cheap Gemini series. This Gemini series has some really great finds and this Handel set is no exception. Buy both 2CD sets and you'll get the whole of Handel's keyboard suites and they've never been realized better than here.



It's strange that someone with the stature of Richter would go after this particular repertoire. There is no truly great music here, it's a bit out of the way but a wonderful counterpart to some of Handel's richer works. Richter partnered with the ,( at the time ), young Gavrilov.



Gavrilov's playing is so rich and imaginative that just as Richter himself noted, people couldn't tell the difference which suite was played by old man Richter or young gun Gavrilov when they listened to this recording. ( Don't worry, the credits are marked in the liner notes for all to see. ) I would say this set is a winner on all counts. Buy this and the other volume as well."

Handel's magic

Orpheus | on the road | 09/18/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This double cd is part of an integral recording of Handel's keyboard suites on piano by the legendary Sviatoslav Richter and renowned Andrei Gavrilov.



Andrei Gavrilov was still a littleknown young pianist during these live recording, who slowly built up an impressive series of recording of which his Bach and Prokoffief are perhaps most notable, sadly he seems to have ceased to record. As is obvious from this recording the young Gavrilov does not pale in comparison with the epic presence of the great Sviatoslav Richter, who once said that most people could not tell the difference between the two, as they played the Handel piano Canon integrally, taking turns every two suites.



As for the music: one of the mysteries of baroque music is surely the sparse recordings of this marvelous music. As all music from that period is automatically compared to that of Bach, as his prodigious and without exception iconic output has eclipsed anything else from that period. Handel though, is a master in it's own right. while Bach has influenced the music on the continent, Handel is even greater on the British Isles. Mainly because of his Oratoria and Operas, which in a way are reflected into keyboard suites who share the same intense lyrical quality.



This music is more relaxed, intimate and sunny compared to Bach's suites. Handel's language has a poetic singing, yet expanse quality that is sometimes reminiscent of Beethoven's late piano sonates = which were heavily influenced by Handel. When listening to these recordings, it's obvious that the music is rendered with understanding and love...The soul of these pieces is purveyed with a delicacy and urgency that shines in comparison with the many baroque piano recordings that have followed since then. The recording has a very spontaneous and almost improvisational feel to it, that is very appealing. Like Bach's, this music clears my mind and lifts me up, yet seems more personal and playful...



Richter and Gavrilov have succeeded in bringing the warmth and joy of Handel's to the surface, combined with his virtuosic and unique style that seems to capture many unknown pearls of wisdom... I cannot but highly recommend this music and this version to anyone who loves piano and baroque music."

Disappointing and distracting

Gontroppo | Bathurst, NSW Australia | 06/01/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I am disappointed with this recording. It is not at all exciting and contains intrusive coughing in several tracks.



We had a wonderful recording of Gavrilov playing virtuoso 19th and 20th century repertoire, but this cd is not in that league.



I recommend Murray Perahia's Handel and Scarlatti cd as a much better piano alternative."