Search - Gyorgy Ligeti, Fredrik Ullén :: Ligeti: Complete Piano Music

Ullen VS Aimard

Scriabinmahler | UK | 11/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
Disc one contains all the three books of Etudes and disc two includes strikingly original Ligeti masterpiece, Musica ricercata and breath takingly intricate Three Pieces for two pianos, and less known yet highly evocative works for four hands and other earlier works.



In Etude Book 1, Ullen plays most of the pieces slightly slower than Aimard whoes pianism is technically more refined, but from Book 2 on Ullen gets better and better. While Aimard's rendition of Etudes is more impressionistic focussing on tonal colour, Ullen's playing is more percussive with Prokofiev-like aggressiveness, accentuating complexity and structure of each piece with less use of pedal. With slower Etudes his playing does not lack sensitivity and tonal delicacy.



Ullen captures chillingly nightmarish atmosphere of Musica ricercata far better than Aimard. Three Pieces for Two Pianos are mesmerizingly complex and thrilling. Each paino part is played by Ullen and over-dubbed later. Overall, if you love Ligeti's music, this is hugely enjoyable set."

The perfect compliment to Aimard's set

Vanilor | Colorado | 12/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this set wanting to hear another pianist's take on Ligeti's etudes. These works are so difficult only a handful of pianists have ever played more than one or two of them, and to the best of my knowledge, Fredrik Ullen is the only pianist to record all three books. Well, anyone who enjoys Aimard's interpretations will love Fredrik Ullen's just as well. As the other reviewer mentioned, he does take some of them at slightly slower tempos. This is particularly noticeable in "White On White" - the treacherous section about two minutes in sounds completely different here.



In addition to the etudes, you get fine renditions of all the rest of Ligeti's piano music, including several world premieres: "L'Arrache-Coeur" (originally intended as Etude No. 11), and the Chromatische Phantasie, are the most substantial new works included."

Grand playing

H. Stokar | New York, New York USA | 10/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ullen is one of the finest living pianists. A shame he is not better known here in the USA. These recordings of Ligeti's Etudes are riviting. You cannot do better for these works. Also, excellent audio engineering."