Kreisleriana, 8 fantasies for piano, Op. 16: 2. Sehr innig und nicht zu rasch. Con molta espressione, non troppo presto
Kreisleriana, 8 fantasies for piano, Op. 16: 3. Sehr aufgeregt. Molto agitato
Kreisleriana, 8 fantasies for piano, Op. 16: 4. Sehr langsam. Lento assai
Kreisleriana, 8 fantasies for piano, Op. 16: 5. Sehr lebhaft. Vivace assai
Kreisleriana, 8 fantasies for piano, Op. 16: 6. Sehr langsam. Lento assai
Kreisleriana, 8 fantasies for piano, Op. 16: 7. Sehr rasch. Molto presto
Kreisleriana, 8 fantasies for piano, Op. 16: 8. Schnell und spielend. Vivace e scherzando
For over 40 years Martha Argerich's recordings on Deutsche Grammophon have remained in the catalog and many are still best sellers. This 8-CD collection presents re-issues of eight solo LP recitals made between 1960 and 19... more »83. The recordings have been remastered and are presented in chronological order, as originally programmed, with the original LP cover art on the individual sleeves. In addition, a booklet with new program notes and rare photos is included with the set. These performances are essential listening and constitute some of the greatest recordings of solo piano music available.« less
For over 40 years Martha Argerich's recordings on Deutsche Grammophon have remained in the catalog and many are still best sellers. This 8-CD collection presents re-issues of eight solo LP recitals made between 1960 and 1983. The recordings have been remastered and are presented in chronological order, as originally programmed, with the original LP cover art on the individual sleeves. In addition, a booklet with new program notes and rare photos is included with the set. These performances are essential listening and constitute some of the greatest recordings of solo piano music available.
"The reissue market is bringing around some extraordinary bargains lately, and this is one. Here we have 8 recitals made for DG starting when the pianist wasn't yet twenty but already playing like a master. The older Argerich has released much more material on her second label, EMI, but DG can boast of riches enough. The new remastering is also welcome, since the earliest LPs were often hard and glassy. Now for the most part the piano sounds full and natural.
Here's the complete program, although the box set proceeds one recital at a time, chronologically, not one composer at a time:
Bach, J S:
Toccata in C minor, BWV911
Partita No. 2 in C minor, BWV826
English Suite No. 2 in A minor, BWV807
Brahms:
Rhapsodies, Op. 79
Chopin:
Scherzo No. 3 in C sharp minor, Op. 39
Barcarolle in F sharp major, Op. 60
Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58
Polonaise No. 7 in A flat major, Op. 61 'Polonaise-fantaisie'
Polonaise No. 6 in A flat major, Op. 53 'Héroïque'
Mazurkas Op. 59 Nos. 1-3
Piano Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 35 'Marche funèbre'
Andante spianato & Grande Polonaise, Op. 22
Scherzo No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 31
24 Preludes, Op. 28
Prelude in C sharp minor, Op. 45
Prelude No. 26 in A flat major, Op. posth.
Liszt:
Hungarian Rhapsody, S244 No. 6 in D flat major
Piano Sonata in B minor, S178
Prokofiev:
Toccata, Op. 11
Ravel:
Jeux d'eau
Gaspard de la Nuit
Sonatine
Valses nobles et sentimentales
Schumann:
Piano Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22
Kinderszenen, Op. 15
Kreisleriana, Op. 16
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What a bargain!
J. Grant | North Carolina, USA | 03/17/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"To get 8 discs of music of this quality at around $30 is a steal. DG is usually notorious for over pricing their single CD's (usually around $18 a pop, so this is indeed a very pleasant surprise. Then when you consider that the discs contain the mercurial, hot tempered, fire breathing dragoness in her prime it is simply a must buy. Of course, Argerich falls into the same category as other artists such as Heifetz, Pollini, Szell, Karajan, Furtwangler and others in that there is very little middle ground. You either love them or you hate them. I happen to be a huge fan of not only her solo work, but also her concertos and chamber works. I am continually amazed at her ability to play at such breakneck speeds without glossing over or bluring notes, even during live performances, the way some pianists (Horowitz) do. Of course there are the occasional missed keys, but who doesn't make a few miscues from time to time? Even the great Richter is guilty of this. All said, there isn't a disc in this set that isn't very good to great. Did I mention what an excellent bargain this box set was?"
EXCELLENT!
Rabbit | 01/13/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Martha is absolutely my favorite concert pianist! I compare her approach to piano to that of concert violinist Nadja Solerno Sonnenberg. They both share a passion for aggressive approach and execution in form. No "glossing over" in interpretation of pieces (Horowitz, brilliant as he was nevertheless, did so ... my opinion only).
You will probably like the vast selection in this wonderful set of CDs."
A Fabulous Deal!!!
Doug - Haydn Fan | California | 07/27/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Recently I checked Amazon's price for this set in Great Britain at Amazon UK and in Germany. In Britain this set now puts you back, when the Pounds are converted to dollars, a hefty 70 plus dollars, considerably more than twice the US price! In Germany at Amazon Germany the set runs @50 Euros, more than 71 dollars! So for about the one gazillionth time - it pays to shop around! Even within Amazon from country to country!
These DG performances capture the earlier recordings, before Argerich began shying away from solo appearances or recordings. As such they're a gold mine of great, powerful, personality-laden piano playing.
For those collectors who already have most of these this set certainly makes for an astonishing (and not unreasonably priced) gift for a classical music beginner!
Take adavantage of this one while Amazon continues to run such a crazy pricing emporioum from country to country.
(And for any movie buffs, don't fail to check out the Amazon UK DVD sets of David Lean and Powell/Pressburger, or the bargain prices for excellent transfers of Ophuls!)"
Brilliant Value, brilliant CD set
Keith | UK | 06/17/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What can I say ! To put together this 8 CD box set of some of Martha Argerich's best recordings and make the set available at what is a very reasonable budget price is a dream come true.. I'm looking forward to further sets. As far as the music is concerned, these recordings have existed on DG vinyl for some time (also on CD) and are superb. For me this is the buy of the year."