Search - Leopold Godowsky, Carlo Grante :: Leopold Godowsky: Studien über die Etüden von Chopin, Vol. 2: Nos. 21-43

(this is the same review I used for Vols 1&2)

offeck | New York, NY -- United States of America | 12/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Godowsky's magnum opus, the 53 Studies on 26 of Chopin's Etudes is probably the piano repetoire's peak of poetic and pyrotechnical decadence. Sometimes I wonder how Chopin would have responded to Chopin's fantastic elaborations, but I'm sure, both as firm-held creative pianistic genuises, it wouldn't have involved much temper, especially considering the drawing on possibilities, extending the originals' already formidable technical demands into a realm of polyphonic, rhythmic, and dynamic utopia. Personally, I consider Godowsky's efforts an enormous compliment, or at least so it seems from the hands of this phenomenal (and very personable) pianist, who captures every breath-taking shade and nuance of Godowsky's crippling wit, mischeviousness, insouciance, and audacity. Although sadly not in the best recorded sound, Grante brings an earthy, unruffled, almost aristocratic ease to the fiendish and outlandish difficulties throughout the entire set. Although--as is common among pianists playing this impossible music, the fast ones are a little slow and the slow ones are a little fast, Grante seems to surpass what has been required with flying colors. He really does have a perfect demand of every bright-and-shinging and dark-and-tumultous element in the music, and with a gloriously rich and full tone. Essential! -- I have it on good word of the pianist and the president of Music and Arts that he/they will be releasing newly recorded versions of this set. GOD SPEED!"

Jaw Dropping Pianistic Fireworks

Phillip J. Rodgers | West Central GA USA | 02/12/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The intrepid Carlo Grante continues his flawless traversal of Godowsky's murderous Chopin studies. These are the definitive recordings of these remarkable works. Godowsky, arguably the greatest pianist that has ever lived, wrote these for himself, and they require a pianist of comparable skill to bring them off. Mr. Grante does so with panache. The music is an intoxicating kind of art deco, opium dream of Chopin. There is nothing like them. All three volumes of this set are a must have for piano lovers."