Search - Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Works by Balakirev, Scriabin., Pianist Paul Rutman :: Paul Rutman Plays Russian Piano Music

Incredible-a one of a kind recording!

11/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Simply one of the best piano recordings ever made is finally available again.
Passion, intelligence, personality - a must for every piano lovers library!"

Rutman displays splendid artistry in Russian Piano Works

theodore edel | evanston, il United States | 01/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It would be hard to imagine more satisfying performances of these five Russian composers than those offered here by pianist Paul Rutman.In the short works by Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, and Scriabin he plays with a degree of emotional intensity rarely encountered. I heard the freedom and poetry of a great singer, and his poignant rendering of Tchaikovsky's "October" would in itself justify the purchase of this disk.
But Rutman also has discipline -- as evidenced by the pure simple lines of Tchaikovsky's "Variations." Some would find the highlight to be his amazing virtuosity in "Islamey" (such tempos!) But for me it was Prokofieff's "Sonata No. 7". I have memories of several concert performances by Sviatoslav Richter (who premiered the work), as well as the celebrated recording by Maurizio Pollini, which I have used many times in my university Piano Literature course. Needless to say, those were both outstanding. But in my opinion Rutman not only equals them in terms of technique and refinement, but actually surpasses them in the excitement, color, range of mood, and the imagination he brings to lyric passages.
This disk is quite simply an ideal match between a great artist and the repertoire that suits him perfectly."