Russian pianists

[Pianorak]

I used to have Berman's recording(on LP), of Liszt's Transcendental Studies. I believe it's been reissued?

Indeed. There is a 1959 and a 1963 recording. However, I much prefer Jorge Bolet's 1970 recording of the same work - makes Berman sound rather insensitive, as already mentioned by richardfinegold. Bolet's rendition of "Ricordanza" is unrivalled IMO.

[Sir Velo]

Indeed. There is a 1959 and a 1963 recording. However, I much prefer Jorge Bolet's 1970 recording of the same work - makes Berman sound rather insensitive, as already mentioned by richardfinegold. Bolet's rendition of "Ricordanza" is unrivalled IMO.

However, he certainly cannot be accused of a lack of nuance and sensitivity in his 1970s DG recording of the three Annees de Pelerinage. Vallees d'Obermann and the Dante Sonata are worth the price of admission alone!

[BBMmk2]

Sounds like a fascinating program.
Berman was quite ballyhooed here when he made his Tchaik PC Recording with Karajan and his subsequent Liszt. I have listened to some of his recordings lately and tend to find him pretty insensitive, the proverbial bull--or in this case, a bear--in a China Shop. Like an Actor who can only scream his lines.
Egorov died of AIDS in the early 80s (I think, not checking right now). He acquired kind of a martyr status. I was listening to his recording of the Emperer Concerto a few weeks ago, the last record I spun before selling my turntable. I don't know that he ever lived up to his hype. Perhaps if he had been allowed to live longer...
I think Sudbin is great and will seek out his Scarlatti disc. Regarding Scarlatti on Piano v. Harpsichord, I am afraid I fall on the Thomas Beecham side of the issue.

I like both, actually, the Scarlatti issue. I am tempted buying the Angela Hewitt recording that was released, recently.

[silvestrione]

Any opinions on Berman's DG Corelli Variations, with some Preludes? Has appeared on LP in my local Oxfam...not sure whether to try.

[Pianorak]

However, he certainly cannot be accused of a lack of nuance and sensitivity in his 1970s DG recording of the three Annees de Pelerinage. Vallees d'Obermann and the Dante Sonata are worth the price of admission alone!

Agreed. See my post #5

[Nick Armstrong]

Sudbin

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/apr/25/facing-the-music-pianist-yevgeny-sudbin

"I am singling out pianists because, let’s face it, they are “weirder” than other instrumentalists." - Y.S.


.

[EdgeleyRob]

Sounds like a fascinating program.
Berman was quite ballyhooed here when he made his Tchaik PC Recording with Karajan and his subsequent Liszt. I have listened to some of his recordings lately and tend to find him pretty insensitive, the proverbial bull--or in this case, a bear--in a China Shop. Like an Actor who can only scream his lines.
Egorov died of AIDS in the early 80s (I think, not checking right now). He acquired kind of a martyr status. I was listening to his recording of the Emperer Concerto a few weeks ago, the last record I spun before selling my turntable. I don't know that he ever lived up to his hype. Perhaps if he had been allowed to live longer... I think Sudbin is great and will seek out his Scarlatti disc. Regarding Scarlatti on Piano v. Harpsichord, I am afraid I fall on the Thomas Beecham side of the issue.

I listened to the only Egorov disc in my collection this morning



Marvelous and seemingly effortless playing,the Toccata is spellbinding

[Pianorak]

. . . Marvelous and seemingly effortless playing,the Toccata is spellbinding

Yes, but I felt the Arabeske was a bit too fast and "effortless". As to Sudbin all I can say is that I can't have been in a receptive mood when I heard him live a few years ago. My loss.

[EdgeleyRob]

Yes, but I felt the Arabeske was a bit too fast and "effortless". As to Sudbin all I can say is that I can't have been in a receptive mood when I heard him live a few years ago. My loss.

Fair point but I think the piece can stand being taken at a fair lick