Search - Emmanuel Chabrier, Isaac Albeniz, Franz Liszt :: A Celebration of Duo-Piano Music

Musically satisfying performances

Tina Leone | Branford, CT | 11/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"So many Cds are released that may have the finest sound and the most wonderful graphics, but when one listens to the performances, there is much left to be desired. That is why this release is so satisfying--the performances are totally musical, heartfelt, sincere and thoroughly enjoyable. Listen to any of the 3 discs and discover a world of wonderful music: French composers, Spanish or Spain-inspired compositions and Russian creations of immense beauty! Just listen to the Rachmaninov selection and marvel at what these two exceptional pianists have accomplished!

This is one of the most thoroughly enjoyable piano recordings--all 3 discs--that I have heard in quite a long time. Never mind that the recorded sound is not quite state-of-the-art. I have heard recordings of perfomances where the sound is mucb worse but the performances demanded to be heard (Rachmnaninov himself, early Horowitz, Bfailowsky, etc.)but where I was happy to have the opportunity to listen to such great musicianship! Bravo to Madeleine Fore and Del Parkinson!! A tour-de-force!!!"

Duo-Piano Music at its best

K. M. Cross | USA | 10/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although Del Parkinson is new to this reviewer Madeleine Forte's previous peformances led me expect the very best. Anyone familiar with her earlier three CDs of the music of Ravel, Debussy and Chopin will know that she is a first-rate artist. Her sensitivity to the French repertory and the virtuosity required to perform it are well-established. So her venture into realm of Spanish and Russian piano music was easgerly anticipated. Madame Forte has not disappointed us. Her worthy partner in this venture,

Del Parkinson, meets the demands of this music splendidly as well. Some of the works performed here are unfamiliar and these new recordings show that they deserve more frequent hearing. Let us hear more exxciting performances from this duo in the future.



Highly recommended"

Great piano playing but poor sound recording

Bjorn Bjorklund | Seattle | 04/27/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I found the audio on this disc very tinny and reminiscent of something that might have been recorded in the 1930s oe 1940s.



The playing, however, is excellent. But there are many better recordings of most (although there are some rarely performed pieces on this CD)of these works available on other labels."