Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Prelude for piano No. 25 in C sharp minor, Op. 45, CT. 190
2. Polonaise-fantasy for piano No. 7 in A flat major, Op. 61, CT. 156
3. Mazurka for piano No. 36 in A minor, Op. 59/1, CT. 86
4. Mazurka for piano No. 37 in A flat major, Op. 59/2 CT. 87
5. Mazurka for piano No. 38 in F sharp minor, Op. 59/3, CT. 88
6. Scherzo for piano No. 3 in C sharp minor, Op. 39, CT. 199
7. Preludes (24) for piano, Op. 28, CT. 166-189: No. 1 in C
8. Preludes (24) for piano, Op. 28, CT. 166-189: No. 2 in A minor
9. Preludes (24) for piano, Op. 28, CT. 166-189: No. 3 in G
10. Preludes (24) for piano, Op. 28, CT. 166-189: No. 4 in E minor
11. Preludes (24) for piano, Op. 28, CT. 166-189: No. 5 in D
12. Preludes (24) for piano, Op. 28, CT. 166-189: No. 6 in B minor
13. Preludes (24) for piano, Op. 28, CT. 166-189: No. 7 in A
14. Preludes (24) for piano, Op. 28, CT. 166-189: No. 8 in F sharp minor
15. Preludes (24) for piano, Op. 28, CT. 166-189: No. 9 in E
16. Preludes (24) for piano, Op. 28, CT. 166-189: No. 10 in C sharp minor
17. Preludes (24) for piano, Op. 28, CT. 166-189: No. 11 in B
18. Preludes (24) for piano, Op. 28, CT. 166-189: No. 12 in G sharp minor
19. Preludes (24) for piano, Op. 28, CT. 166-189: No. 13 in F sharp
20. Preludes (24) for piano, Op. 28, CT. 166-189: No. 14 in E flat minor
21. Preludes (24) for piano, Op. 28, CT. 166-189: No. 15 in D flat "Raindrop"
22. Preludes (24) for piano, Op. 28, CT. 166-189: No. 16 in B flat minor
23. Preludes (24) for piano, Op. 28, CT. 166-189: No. 17 in A flat
24. Preludes (24) for piano, Op. 28, CT. 166-189: No. 18 in F minor
25. Preludes (24) for piano, Op. 28, CT. 166-189: No. 19 in E flat
26. Preludes (24) for piano, Op. 28, CT. 166-189: No. 20 in C minor
27. Preludes (24) for piano, Op. 28, CT. 166-189: No. 21 in B flat
28. Preludes (24) for piano, Op. 28, CT. 166-189: No. 22 in G minor
29. Preludes (24) for piano, Op. 28, CT. 166-189: No. 23 in F
30. Preludes (24) for piano, Op. 28, CT. 166-189: No. 24 in D minor
31. Scherzo for piano No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 31, CT. 198
32. Polonaise for piano No. 6 in A flat major ('H�roique'), Op. 53, CT. 155

Disc 2:

1. Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58, CT. 203: 1. Allegro maestoso
2. Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58, CT. 203: 2. Scherzo. Molto vivace
3. Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58, CT. 203: 3. Largo
4. Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58, CT. 203: 4. Finale. Presto non tanto
5. Piano Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22: 1. So rasch wie m�glich - Schneller - Noch schneller
6. Piano Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22: 2. Andantino
7. Piano Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22: 3. Scherzo. Sehr rasch und markiert
8. Piano Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22: 4. Rondo. Presto - Etwas langsamer - Prestissimo, quasi cadenza - Immer schneller und schnelle
9. Piano Sonata in B minor, S. 178 (LW A179): Lento assai - Allegro energico - Grandioso - Recitativo
10. Piano Sonata in B minor, S. 178 (LW A179): Andante sostenuto -
11. Piano Sonata in B minor, S. 178 (LW A179): Allegro energico - Andante sostenuto - Lento assai
12. Hungarian Rhapsody, for piano No. 6 in D flat major, S. 244/6 (LW A132/6)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #241066 in Music
• Released on: 1999-07-20
• Number of discs: 2

Amazon.com essential recording
After all the (deserved) excitement over Martha Argerich's long-suppressed EMI Chopin recital, it's fascinating to hear her slightly later recordings of the same program made for DG, included in this album. In some of this Chopin playing, Argerich lets her fingers do the walking a little too much; some of the Préludes sound rushed and hectic, despite her masterful control. But even when she is a bit over the top, Argerich is such a fascinating musical thinker--and such an impressive technician!--that she's always worth hearing. There are no reservations about her powerful playing of Liszt's Piano Sonata or Schumann's Sonata No. 2, both instances of impressive pianistic resources being used in the service of very difficult music. And the Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6, from her first DG recital, is a dazzler. Overall this is a very worthwhile collection, highly recommended. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews

Essential
I was surprised to find this disc was reviewed by only one person. But I can understand this. Not many can criticize her performance in these discs. The contents are rather standard. You can listen to these Chopin, Schumanm and Liszt played by many artists. But this Argerich's recordings are "the Essential of Essentials." Believe me, this CDs won't end up as a collection, you'll be addicted to this performance.

Amazing technical virtuosity
After hearing her work on the Sampler disc, I chose hers as the first of the "Great Pianists of the 20th Century" to purchase. It was a good choice. Anyone who has ever played (or even looked at) this music knows how difficult it is. In her hands, it sounds easy--and beautiful. You'll have goosebumps.

WOW
Martha Argerich is a pianist's pianist - her dazzling technique, intense musicality and blazing tempos impress and awe other pianists who are fine musicians themselves. Her virtuosity never impedes her incredibly beautiful sense of melody throughout this music, which is a selection of Chopin, Liszt, and Schumann.

Get ahold of this CD if you can. It's a wonderful compilation of works of performances by a consummate artist.