Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No.1 In B Flat Minor Op.23: Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso - Allegro con spirito
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No.1 In B Flat Minor Op.23: Andantino semplice - Prestissimo - Tempo I
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No.1 In B Flat Minor Op.23: Allegro con fuoco
The Nutcracker Op. 71a: I. Ouverture miniature - Allegro Gusto II. Danses caracteristiques
The Nutcracker Op. 71a: a. Marche: Tempo di marcia viva
The Nutcracker Op. 71a: b. Danse de la Fee Dragee: Andante non troppo
The Nutcracker Op. 71a: c. Danse russe Trepak: Tempo di Trepak, molto vivace
The Nutcracker Op. 71a: d. Danse arabe: Allegretto
The Nutcracker Op. 71a: e. Danse chinoise: Allegro moderato
The Nutcracker Op. 71a: f. Danse des mirlitons: Moderato assai
The Nutcracker Op. 71a: III. Valse des fleurs: Tempo di Valse
Some artists grow into a sort of proprietary relationship with certain pieces of music. If anyone today owns this concerto, it's Martha Argerich. She's recorded it three times, and this latest version seems to sum up an... more » entire lifetime of living with and loving the music. Not only does Argerich simply find more in the notes than almost anyone else, she also does it with a sense of complete spontaneity and naturalness. She's also the most exciting pianist alive, which certainly doesn't hurt in such dazzling music. Claudio Abbado is one of her regular concerto accompanists, and he knows better than to try to take over an Argerich performance. This is her show, and he gives her the kind of support she needs to feel free to work her interpretive magic. -- David Hurwitz« less
Some artists grow into a sort of proprietary relationship with certain pieces of music. If anyone today owns this concerto, it's Martha Argerich. She's recorded it three times, and this latest version seems to sum up an entire lifetime of living with and loving the music. Not only does Argerich simply find more in the notes than almost anyone else, she also does it with a sense of complete spontaneity and naturalness. She's also the most exciting pianist alive, which certainly doesn't hurt in such dazzling music. Claudio Abbado is one of her regular concerto accompanists, and he knows better than to try to take over an Argerich performance. This is her show, and he gives her the kind of support she needs to feel free to work her interpretive magic. -- David Hurwitz
"This is terrible recorded sound. I simply cannot forgive the balance engineer, and the people responsible for mic placement for screwing this one up. The sound is very thin, and has almost a bleached harshness to it. To mess up a performance like this makes me want to vomit. They can tell you about their 4D Audio Recording System all they want, but the truth is this doesn't sound like music. Some will respond to this saying: "but it is a live performance". Yep, DG recorded a live performance of this piece back in 1987 with Kissin as the pianist and Karajan with the BPO in the same location. The sound there, while not perfect is MUCH better then it is here. Still, those who are not nutty audiophiles like myself will probably enjoy this one, because it is really an wonderful demonstration by Martha Argerich. While maybe not the best interpretation by a pianist of this piece there is no denying that this women has unbelievable amounts of talent and charisma. I'm not very keen on Abbado and the Berliners backdrop here, but I think this is mostly due to the wretched sound balancing. If this were almost any other performance I would give this 1 star, but since it is so good I will ignore the sound quality a little and give it 3. Audio minded people should be warned to stay away."
The Nutcracker suite sounds better on 2-pianos!
Nicolas Constantinou | Cyprus | 02/14/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"You just wouldn't believe how this 2-piano version of this magnificent piece is performed. Personally I have not yet heard an orchestra play this piece with such energy and tenderness at the same time. Nicolas Economou proved to be a great transcriber. It should be mentioned that Deutsche Gramophone chose not to reproduce the original cd, featuring this work along with the Rachmaninov Symphonic dances, Op. 45, so it is a collector's item. The first concerto I am afraid is not the best I have heard from Martha. I personally prefer the first version of it with Abbado. But still some wonderful moments are to be heard from the most loved woman-pianist of the century."
One of the best musical performances.
Fernando J. Orozco | El Monte, CA USA | 10/08/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There is no doubt, this is one of the very best musical performances of the Nutcracker suite. You will hardly find a version of The Nutcracker in piano solo. I am just facinated with this title, since the version of the Piano Concerto No.1 by Tchaikovsky is lovely, and The Nutcracker is out of this world. I recoment this title to everyone who loves the Nutcracker Suite since the opus 71a is just GREAT!!!"
A nearly great Tchaikovsky First and a totally delightful Nu
Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 01/19/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Most listeners will come for the Tchaikovsky First Concerto and stay for the two-piano version of the Nutrcracker Suite. I think it should be the other way around. Argerich is a great devotee of piano duets, of course, and has had many partners over the years. In this 1983 performance she found the best of all in Nicolas Economou, the gifted Cypriot pianist and composer who died tragically in a car accident. Their partnership sounds as if one inspired musician were playing, which is the highest praise one can give a duo. It's a unique, celebratory reading.
The piano concerto, recorded live in 1994, begins with the most thrilling first movement I ever hope to hear--not only is Argerich at her spontaneous best, but Abbado joins her in a rip-roaring orchestral accompaniment with the Berlin Phil. It really is a sahme that DG's sonics are cramped and clattery, but they hardly matter. The last two movements I would say are decidedly lower in inspiration, and the finale in particular seems to find Argerich doing nothing special beyond, of course, playing in first-rate style. Still, I will return many times to this Nutcracker (too bad there's only 20 min. of it!)."