Nigel Simeone raved about this box in IRR and I can see why .
Although Argerich's concerto repertoire has shrunk over recent years - indeed sometimes it seems she only plays the Ravel in G , Prokofiev 1 and 3 the Schumann and the Chopin 1 this box contains some works she has not recorded before and a newish Liszt 1 .
I am only through the first two CDs but what breathtaking performances and as an accompanist Vedernikov in particular strikes me as one to follow .
The first CD opens with a dancing account of Beethoven 1 - which is very different to say her recording with Sinopoli but gives great pleasure . Then comes two works she has not recorded before . The Poulenc Double Concerto with Alexander Gurning . This is an absolute delight , all the witty, brittle bittersweet charm that is so difficult to bring off . Finally, capped by a recording with the Gulda brothers of K242 . This has always struck me as one of Mozart's slighter works . In this performance I was completely transported .
CD 2 contains a performance from 2010 of the Schumann with Vedernikov that is incendiary and tops all her other fine recordings of this work to my ears and performances of the Prokofiev 1 and 3 which supersede her EMI recordings - they simply dazzle .
Buy buy buy !
Although Argerich's concerto repertoire has shrunk over recent years - indeed sometimes it seems she only plays the Ravel in G , Prokofiev 1 and 3 the Schumann and the Chopin 1 this box contains some works she has not recorded before and a newish Liszt 1 .
I am only through the first two CDs but what breathtaking performances and as an accompanist Vedernikov in particular strikes me as one to follow .
The first CD opens with a dancing account of Beethoven 1 - which is very different to say her recording with Sinopoli but gives great pleasure . Then comes two works she has not recorded before . The Poulenc Double Concerto with Alexander Gurning . This is an absolute delight , all the witty, brittle bittersweet charm that is so difficult to bring off . Finally, capped by a recording with the Gulda brothers of K242 . This has always struck me as one of Mozart's slighter works . In this performance I was completely transported .
CD 2 contains a performance from 2010 of the Schumann with Vedernikov that is incendiary and tops all her other fine recordings of this work to my ears and performances of the Prokofiev 1 and 3 which supersede her EMI recordings - they simply dazzle .
Buy buy buy !
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