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Category: CD Reviews

MusicWeb International. Brahms

April 18, 2022
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Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Piano Sonata No. 2 in F sharp minor, Op. 2 (1852) [27:51] Scherzo in E-flat minor, Op. 4 (1851) [9:06] Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op. 5 (1853) [39:50] Oleg Marshev (piano) rec. July 2021, Cultural Institute, Milan, Italy DANACORD DACOCD900 [77:03] This is early Brahms. His biographer Lawrence Erb says bluntly that there was no obvious career opening for the young man: he had to “continue playing in low sailors’ haunts” and pursue any opportunity for giving “cheap lessons and arranging popular tunes for brass bands or for piano”. It was not until the spring of 1853 that Brahms embarked on his first professional tour away from Hamburg, as accompanist to the celebrated Hungarian...

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Ravel Vol.1 MusicWeb International

April 16, 2022
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A splendid first instalment of a three-volume cycle. Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937)Complete Solo Piano Music Volume 1Sérénade grotesque (c.1893) [3:23]Menuet antique (1895) [7:42]La Parade (1896) [14:14]Pavane pour une infante défunte (1899) [7:00]Jeux d’eau (1901) [5:57]Menuet in C-sharp minor (1904) [1:11]Miroirs (1904-1905) [30:23]Fugue in F major (1900) [4:59]Oleg Marshev (piano)rec. July 2021, Cultural Institute, Milan, ItalyDANACORD DACOCD903 [75:51] A new survey of Maurice Ravel’s piano music is always welcome. It is an even more significant event when the plan is to record the composer’s all extant works for the instrument: an important first. And with Danacord’s superstar Oleg Marshev at the piano it is just perfect.It gets better. This programme is largely chronological, and that allows an informed appreciation of Ravel’s development as a composer. Also, a few pieces...

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American Record Guide Chopin

November 22, 2015
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American Record Guide May-June 2015 CHOPIN Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2. Fantasy on Polish Airs. Krakowiak.Variations on Mozart’s “Là ci darem la mano.” Andante spianato and Grande Polonaise brillante  Ÿ   CHOPIN Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2. Fantasy on Polish Airs. Krakowiak.Variations on Mozart’s “Là ci darem la mano.” Andante spianato and Grande Polonaise brillante  Ÿ   Oleg Marshev (pf); David Porcelijn, cond; South Denmark Phil.  ŸDANACORD 701-702 (2 CDs: 136:06)    

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Fanfare. Chopin Concertos

November 22, 2015
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Fanfare  CHOPIN Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2. Fantasy on Polish Airs. Krakowiak.Variations on Mozart’s “Là ci darem la mano.” Andante spianato and Grande Polonaise brillante  Ÿ   CHOPIN Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2. Fantasy on Polish Airs. Krakowiak.Variations on Mozart’s “Là ci darem la mano.” Andante spianato and Grande Polonaise brillante  Ÿ  Oleg Marshev (pf); David Porcelijn, cond; South Denmark Phil.  ŸDANACORD 701-702 (2 CDs: 136:06) ​Chopin pianists are a breed apart. Sovereign technique must be taken for granted. Yet Chopin playing never can be mere bravura. Of all the great composers, Chopin is the one who speaks most to the masses. A pianist must identify fully with the popular elements in his music, the singing line and the dance rhythms. Chopin playing rarely succeeds if it descends to the abstract or the arcane. Then there is the issue of Chopin’s harmony, which a player must master...

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Pianist. Mendelssohn

February 14, 2015
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Pianist Magazine October/November 2014 Felix Mendelssohn—Complete Works for Piano & Orchestra South Jutland Symphony Orchestra / Cond. David Porcelijn Danacord DACOCD 734-736

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