Search - S. Rachmaninoff, Ethella Chuprik :: Rachmaninov: Piano Works

The best Rachmaninov bargain CD - Chuprik rivals the big boy

Hexameron | 03/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Who would have thought that a $2.99 bargain-bin disc from the Amadis label would prove to be one of the best piano recording deals on Amazon? To me, this incredible CD belongs next to the Seraphim label's Brahms/Tchaikovsky VC with Milstein, Tomsic's Scarlatti sonatas on the Point Classics label, and Reach's recording of Alkan's Grande Sonate on the Arcobaleno label. Basically, like the above mentioned, this is a budget recording that is simply too good to pass up. Not only is it insanely under-priced, but the overall quality of sound and more importantly, the virtues of these performances, makes buying expensive DG and Hyperion recordings unnecessary.



Ethella Chuprik is virtually unknown, but I can vouch for her entire showcase of recordings for the Amadis label. Her Liszt and Beethoven is absolutely exceptional, but her pianistic strength in the way she handles Rachmaninov is mind-blowing. The Variations on a Theme of Chopin tends to be played to death and every pianist's interpretation varies, sometimes extremely. In my listening experience, the pianist will usually have a few outstanding renditions of the variations, while the rest are merely "ok." It's rare that the entire 22 variations are played with consistent focus on details, musicality and an unwavering endurance of spirit. Chuprik's interpretation of these variations is one of the best I've heard. Wild, Horowitz, Shelley, and Ashkenazy suddenly seem average. It would be rather tedious to comment on each variation, but Chuprik's singular slow approach to the first and her storming fifteenth must be commended. Her thundering passion and muscular attack makes her a lioness at the keyboard. But her slow lyrical phrasing distinguishes her even further; I guarantee that even if you desire a faster tempo in some of these variations, you cannot possibly find fault with her rich legato and graceful touch.



In the Etude-Tableaux No. 7 Op. 39, Chuprik demonstrates the depth of her pianistic acumen. She extracts astonishing gloom and brooding in the beginning, meditates on the eerily beautiful middle section, and erupts perfectly with the overwhelming sonorous bell effects towards the end. Simply put, she is wonderfully eloquent as well as powerful in her execution. And this is perhaps even more recognizable in the Prelude No. 10 of Op. 32. Her soul seems absorbed in this lush and melancholy music; the thick chords and floating melodies are effortlessly sublime in her hands. Her dynamics are perfectly suited to Rachmaninov and her aim for the achingly melancholy is apparent. No where is such underscoring of the darkness and pathos of Rachmaninov more readily seen than in the depressing Elegie Op. 3. Chuprik imbues this piece with gushing passion and beautiful articulation of the despairing lines. All other recordings I have of this miniature seem empty compared to hers.



The two pieces left, the Melodie Op. 3 and the Rachmaninov-Kreisler, were an odd choice for an essentially "Best of Rachmaninov" piano CD. I never understood why the Kreisler piece was so famous anyway. And the Melodie Op. 3, as sensationally satisfying as it is, is not nearly as significant as its colossal sibling, the infamous Prelude. Despite this, Chuprik plays both pieces with tenderness and immaculate technique. But I think Amadis could have easily added more to the disc since the total time reaches only 55 minutes. If I could have any gripes about the recording, it would be this absence of other key pieces which would have filled the space nicely. The Prelude Op. 3 and some other Etude-Tableax would have been great. Regardless, Chuprik's quality of playing is too excellent for me to lower a single star from my rating.



Bottom line: Amadis deserves laurels for employing such a stellar pianist to record these marvelous jewels on a bargain CD. I've heard a lot of unknown pianists on the budget labels and I have to say, Ethella Chuprik stands out as the most memorable and colossal of them all. For $2.99 this will please both the Rachmaninov lovers and give those new to the Russian master the best deal on the market."