Wonderful Music Making!
Chicago Musician | Chicago, IL USA | 12/10/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is some of the most wonderful music making I have ever heard! The playing is technically flawless, as is to be expected from these players. This allows them unlimited possibilities in terms of phrasing and color. They play with miraculous synchronization, better than some pianists manage between their own right and left hands! The phrasing is remarkably flexible throughout, especially in the gorgeous performance of the Schubert. This is given the most subtle and imaginative performance I have ever heard. The range of sonority is wonderful. Buy this immediately if you have not yet done so!"
Emotion veiled in sound: Martha Argerich & Nelson Freire in
P. Adrian | Arad, Romania | 02/14/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When huge artists of our time - such as Martha Argerich and Nelson Freire - join their forces for an evening during the Salzburg Festival to offer a two-piano recital, I suppose all major recording companies should swarm the place and compete in trying to immortalize the event. The occasion wasn't missed by the Deutsche Grammophon label which recently issued to a great international acclaim the CD of that wonderful August evening.
It would be quite superfluous to comment on these top-pianists' rendition of famous works compounding the programme: Brahms - the immortal Haydn Variations, Rachmaninoff - the mighty Symphonic Dances op.45, Schubert - the sweet Great Rondo in A major, and Ravel - the roof-blowing `La Valse'. The recital can be utterly summarized in very few words: emotion veiled in sound. A charming atmosphere has gradually been created for almost two hours. It is the magic result of a perfect technical and stylistic match between Martha Argerich and Nelson Freire. Yet temperaments more different than theirs could hardly be found, they masterly complement one another by sharing a similar passion for music-making, a distinguished artistry and a mutual understanding. So that in their hands the emotional pulse of the music reigns supreme and makes the listeners dream.
There is a great amount of magnetism released from their playing together, that I enjoyed myself by listening and watching live a wondrous recital at the Romanian Athenee in Bucharest (Romania), in September 2007 during the "George Enescu" Festival. With quite the same programme - plus Mozart's D major Sonata for four hands and Shostakovich's Concertino instead of Haydn Variations - Martha Argerich and Nelson Freire simply enraptured the audience. To a frenetic and endless standing ovation, they offered then no less than five encores!!! Among these, some passional pieces by Argentine composer Carlos Guastavino (like, for instance, "El Bailecito" - a truly evocative and compelling gem). Hopefully, these magnificent pianists one day will take into consideration recording a new live two-piano recital coupling a selection of Guastavino's work with - why not? - ... Lutoslawski's Paganini Variations!
Till then, don't miss this Salzburg-2009 live recording!
"
Ars gratia artis
Dr. John E. Spivey | 02/01/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"These two great pianists at the pinacle of their powers reveal previously hidden insights into these well-known works. There is none of the histrionics or bravura that these artists are capable of, just spontaneous revelation that leaves one exhilarated and grateful. Likewise the DGG engineering. Plaudits all round."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1