Classic CD. Prokofiev Vol.1/2

CLASSIC CD May 1998 Prokofiev Piano Sonatas 6, 7 & 8 The Top five discs …The expressive depth of these sonatas is unprecedented in Prokofiev’s work. They are also technically among the most daunting works ever written for the piano. The challenge for any pianist is to surmount their technical difficulties in order to fully reveal their expressive content. Drawing up a shortlist of recordings has highlighted casualties from recent deletions such as Peter Donohoe’s EMI cycle. Of complete recordings still available but not shortlisted, Ashkenazy’s on Decca sounds impatient and aggressive, as if he’s played the music too often. John Lill (ASV), living up to his reputation for stolid reliability, shows no feeling whatsoever for Prokofiev’s lyricism. Yakov Kasman’s...

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Classic CD. Rachmaninov

CLASSIC CD March 2000 CLASSIC CD CHOICE very impressive playing from a born Rachmaninov interpreter Rachmaninov: Morceaux de fantasie op.3, Sonata n.2 in Bflat minor op.36 (revised version), Variations on a theme of Corelli, op.42. Oleg Marshev / DANACORD DACOCD 525 / 67:18 DDD Oleg Marshev: shows a natural kinship with Russia's greatest composer-pianist  Oleg Marshev scored something of a triumph with his Prokofiev sonata cycle on the Danacord label some years ago both in these columns and elsewhere. He has also recorded the Rubinstein Third and Fourth concertos and the Strauss Piano Sonata for the same label. Listening to these Rachmaninov performances, there is no doubt that he is a player in the grand manner, as befits his Moscow...

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CLASSIC CD. Sauer Vol.2

CLASSIC CD March 1999 A tribute to vanished elegance SAUER Etudes and Valses, Vol. 2 Oleg Marshev (piano) / Danacord DACOCD 488 / 72:36 DDD  Emil Sauer (1862-1942), pupil of Liszt and virtuoso extraordinary, was also a composer of high merit, writing in many forms, large and small. This programme offers a judicious selection of the concert studies and waltzes which he composed throughout his adult life. Oleg Marshev brings appropriate virtuosity and swagger to the studies, reminded us that such a style was essential for the adequate realization of such vintage fare. All 16 tracks offer pleasure to the ear. The music never emulates the poetic depth which Chopin brought to such forms, but it often recalls Liszt in...

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