Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Franz Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart :: Alexander Korsantia Live in Concert

Trully GRAND collection

pianobuff | texas | 03/15/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Korsantia's imagination has no boundaries! What a floating lines in Bach! His Haydn is the most beautiful thing! His Stravinsky-Agosti-Back-to-Stravinsky version of Firebird is the ultimate!



I loved Prokofiev! No 7 - I must add this one at the top along with Sokolov's Paris rendition..... What a clarity of phrasing!! He is literally "singing" those magnificient microphrases with such a full breath of air througout the whole Sonata. Once again (and same with Sokolov) - this IS the tempo in finale - no slower, no faster...... No.8 - once Richter compared it to a "richly ripe tree" (or something like it) - Korsantia's performance trully reflects this comparison; again, lots of colors and tremendous emotional charge... Very colorful Prokofiev !(unfortunately, so rare these days)...........



I heard Musorgsky's picture live at Jordan Hall (same recital as Haydn and Mozart in this collection) - this MUST be made known to the public! I dont recall any recording (inc. the ones considered the best) that would match Korsantia's extremely free-spirited interpretation of Musorgsky's masterpiece. I hope this will be made available some day. Also, lovely miniatures of Stravinski and Kancheli..............



This is a great pianist who unfortunately is not known enough in the records."

Another amazing performance by Korsantia

Martin Ogulnick | 12/15/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have seen four live performances of Alexander Korsantia over the past several years--three performances at SUNY New Paltz at the Piano Summer concerts and once in the very intimate setting of the Howland Center in Beacon, NY. It is hard to describe what a unique and inspiring and beautiful player Korsantia is. His virtuosity is startling.He plays the fastest tempos with apparent ease and unbelievable articulation. He can be playful, or soulful or ardent. He leaves you with a new appreciation for the music--the joy, the drama, the heartbreak, the mystery, the passion and inspiration. You say to yourself this how the composer conceived this music and you feel grateful for the opportunity to be there. Korsantia's technique and musicianship leave him in the company of the handful of the world's great pianists.



My son's piano teacher, a gifted composer and pianist, who has run music festivals and concert series for years, and who on one occasion invited Korsantia to play at one of his events, told me that he is the most amazing pianist that no one has ever heard of. I have since discovered that that more than a few know of Korsantia, but he certainly should be more widely known.



Now to the CD. When I ordered it I was slightly concerned that the beauty, power and spirit of his live performances wouldn't be captured on disc. I have had the experience of buying a CD or two at a concert and winding up disappointed at home. The excitement of the live performance didn't translate to the disc. Not so this two disc CD set of live recordings. These CDs are a joy. They jumped immediately to the top of my large collections of classical CS's.



The first disc begins with three Bach Cantata transcriptions--by Hess, Busoni and Petri. These are simple, straight foreword pieces with gorgeous, captivating melodies. In the hands of a lesser player they can become ditties, pretty, but not not memorable. In Korsantia's hands they become masterpieces. They instantaneously become your favorite music-- exquisite, soulful, haunting. Each note is played with poignancy and care. These are pieces you will want to hear over and over, to go to sleep with, to give you solace when nothing else will. You have to to hear Korsantia play these pieces to understand just how gorgeous and meaningful music can be.



Next are two Haydn sonatas and a Mozart sonata. If you usually are not thrilled by either Haydn or Mozart then brush aside your prejudices and listen to Korsantia. He may very well redefine your view of these composers. Every ounce of joy and tunefulness is exquisitely expressed in these pieces and chances are that you will love them. I anticipate that Korsantia will awaken many to the gift of Haydn and Mozart.



Without giving away the plot all I will tell you is watch out for what comes next. The first CD ends with a tour de force the likes of which you rarely encounter. The Agosti-Stravinsky Firebird in Korsantia's hands needs to be experienced. Words will not convey the startling power and drive with which Korsantia goes at this piece while he maintaining the same control of the keyboard as he does when he plays much easier pieces. Buy the CD and see (or hear) for yourself. And besides you will get the second CD--all Prokofiev-- his Pastoral Sonatina and his Sonata No. 8. This is Prokofiev solo piano at its best, passionate, expressive and as usual from Korsantia, perfectly played.



Summary. Alexander Korsantia is a pianist who will remind you why you love music and why you love the piano. This will become an album that you will treasure."