Search - Mozart, Say :: Mozart, Piano Sonatas & Variations

Well interpreted, well improvized, most enjoyable...

S. Park | 07/13/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mozart's music is once again charming, full of energy and adorable. The performer makes this music even more attractive in such manner that, one gets addictive to the sonatas, variations and improvizations. A very enjoyable CD. Fazil Say once again should be praised with his performance."

Say has talent but...

Mete Ibanoglu | Ankara, Turkey | 07/18/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Greetings everyone,



I am a Turkish citizen and I've had numerous chances to attend to Say's concerts and meet him. Well, let me be frank about him then I shall proceed to the review of this CD. There is no question that Say is a very talented person. He has a very distinctive style and he loves what he does. But like another great talent Lang-Lang he suffers from stage ego, introducing so much theatrics while playing, and this definitely leads to errors while he's playing. (I have his Japan concert on video, he makes awful mistakes just because of his theatrics.) I'm not against facial gestures etc, but there is a point when it distracts you and the performer as well. I certainly wish that he learns to put the music to the first priority.



On to the review of this CD. As far as I am concerned Say's greatest strength is Mozart, Haydn and Gershwin (I can't comment on his Bach, since I didn't listen to it from him, but everyone likes his Bach, though I'm skeptical if they are the definitive performances of those works). He clearly enjoys playing these pieces, and it is apparent from the tracks. The problem is that strange tempo changes, strange dynamics at parts. I understand that he wants to bring a new breath to these works and do appreciate it, but I'm afraid his interpretations does not always work.



To end this review, I must say that this is a great CD, very enjoyable. But these are not the definitive performances of these works, those who wish to get a better and more conventional and more insightful performances of these pieces and other Mozart solo piano pieces, can have a look at the Complete Mozart Edition's 9th box..."

Wonderful!

S. Park | 11/14/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mr. Say is a mastermind. This CD is the greatest of Mozart I have ever listened to. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone who dares to challenge themselves in music."