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Great Recordings Of The Century - Dinu Lipatti
Dinu Lipatti
Great Recordings Of The Century - Dinu Lipatti
Genre: Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (17) - Disc #1

It's easy to hear why these timeless recordings have virtually never been out of the catalog since Dinu Lipatti's untimely death in 1950 at age 33. Each movement of the Bach B-flat Partita is painstakingly detailed withou...  more »

     
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It's easy to hear why these timeless recordings have virtually never been out of the catalog since Dinu Lipatti's untimely death in 1950 at age 33. Each movement of the Bach B-flat Partita is painstakingly detailed without sounding the least bit studied, unfolding with logic, eloquence, and a cogent sense of dance. The two Bach-Busoni chorale preludes are sculpted in long, singing lines. Then there's the effortless textural juggling Lipatti achieves to moving, spiritual effect in the Bach-Kempff Siciliano and renowned Bach-Hess "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." By all accounts, Lipatti labored many hours perfecting the trills and various ornaments in the two Scarlatti sonatas, and it shows. The pianist's intense, impassioned Mozart A Minor Sonata reveals endless felicities of phrasing and touch with each relistening. Lastly, the two Schubert Impromptus, recorded at Lipatti's last recital, shimmer with concentrated, poetic refinement and serene joy that belie the fact that the pianist was mortally ill. Let's hope these cornerstone performances will be available for another 50 years at least. --Jed Distler

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CD Reviews

Miraculous
04/03/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Bach is as modern as in any of today's recordings, despite the age of this one; Lipatti puts as much thought into his interpretation as Gould, but with a result more pleasing to the ear. The Scarlatti is equal in all respects to Horowitz's phenomenal recording, with beautiful colour and impeccable technique at the service of the interpretation. The Mozart leaves one breathless; Lipatti plays each movement in one breath, without respite, with unequalled intensity. Yet the music sounds lyrical, more so than a piano seems capable of. Finally, the Schubert sings like a Lied; One has to go back to Fischer for such beauty. No serious music listener should be without this record."
The definitive recording
Miles D. Moore | 10/25/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is simply the best piano recording I have ever heard, and I heard quite a few since I am a collector of piano CDs since many years.You cannot surpass the level of beauty and perfection that Lipatti has reached in this recording, and I don't think anybody ever will. This is piano playing from heaven. I have heard mentions of pianists like Gould, Perahia or Horowitz, but even such giants could't compare to the miracle we hear in this recording. I do not like to knock such legends, but it seems like their limits and weaknesses suddenly appear clear when we play them next to Lipattti. It is that good. A unique experience. In my opinion this is the definitive piano recording."
A Timeless reference
nicofromparis | Paris, France | 03/20/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Lipatti's conception of Bach's music is of the very highest level, and his play dangerously approaches perfection. I don't agree with the review below that his Besançon live recording is superior to this one. Although Lipatti's performances were truly spectacular, and definitely belong to the best recordings available, he usually took a faster tempo than in his "studio" recordings. His play was utterly natural and I think even in Bach he is superior to Gould. His Scarlatti sonatas are on a par with Horowitz, although Horowitz recorded many more. Mozart's sonata shows less nuance than Perahia's although I strongly suspect that the microphone was much too close to the piano, because Lipatti was a master of nuance. Lipatti did so little, but he did so well..."