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Claudio Arrau - Great Pianists of the 20th Century I

Claudio Arrau - Great Pianists of the 20th Century I
From Philips

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Track Listing

Disc 1:

  1. Islamey, Oriental fantasy for piano
  2. Rhapsodie espagnole (Folies d'Espagne et jota aragonesa), for piano, S. 254 (LW A195)
  3. Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue, for keyboard in D minor, BWV 903 (BC L34)
  4. Iberia Suite for piano, B. 47, Book 1: Evocaci�n
  5. Iberia Suite for piano, B. 47, Book 1: El Puerto
  6. Iberia Suite for piano, B. 47, Book 1: F�te-Dieu � Seville
  7. B�n�diction de Dieu dans la solitude, for piano (Harmonies po�tiques No. 3), S. 173/3 (LW A158/3)
  8. Les jeux d'eaux � la Ville d'Este, for piano (Ann�es III/4), S. 163/4 (LW A283/4)
  9. Chasse-neige, etude for piano in D flat major (Transcendental Etude No. 12), S. 139/12 (LW A172/12)

Disc 2:

  1. Variations (28) on a Theme of Paganini, for piano, in A minor, Op. 35: Book I
  2. Variations (28) on a Theme of Paganini, for piano, in A minor, Op. 35: Book II
  3. Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15: Maestoso
  4. Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15: Adagio
  5. Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15: Rondo

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #212799 in Music
  • Released on: 1998-10-20
  • Number of discs: 2

Customer Reviews

Colourful, breathtaking interpretation5
Arrau is one of the very few pianists who has fantastic touch and crystalbright, brilliantly beatiful sound, whatever he plays. If you want to listen Brahms' Paganini variations with strong intensity and brilliant dynamic differences, every single note played with care, buy this CD. In Liszt's Spanish Rhapsody Arrau shows his breathtaking virtuoso skills, but also so beautiful sound and so different colours in different sections in the piece. True master of music, excellent recording.

Arrau at his best5
It might seem like a strange thing to recommend, but for me the most impressive performance on this disc is the oldest, a 1926 recording of Balakirev's 'Islamey.' There are three other versions (Gavrilov, Katchen, Ogdon) in the Philips Great Pianists and this one makes the most music out of Balakirev's knucklebuster. The sound is absolutely amazing for its time (with a lot of inobtrusive help from Philips' engineers). You will be amazed at the variety of piano tone, faithful to Arrau's legendary touch, in such an old recording.

Also on the first of these two discs is an inward 'Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue', by Bach. And Liszt's 'Bénédiction de Dieu dans la solitude' played slowly and intensely; this piece can lose momentum, but not in Arrau's hands.

The second disc is all Brahms: the Paganini Variations, both books, and a majestic First Concerto, played more slowly than we may be used to. The Variations are stunning. The Concerto will not be to everyone's tastes because of the solemn first movement, but in my opinion it works because of the tonal nuance and musical phrasing Arrau brings to it. The second movement is a beautiful song, and the third a rollicking conclusion.

A Wonderful Intro to this Spiritual Pianist5
Philips has undertaken a massive project. They are remastering classic and rediscovered recordings of almost every legendary pianist of the century. As the fourth installment, they have provided an anthology of studio recordings by the Chilean Claudio Arrau. This set is very well remastered (despite surface noise due to age). The performances are exceptional throughout. The price is quite good for a double set.