Search - Egon Petri :: Piano Recital

Magnificent playing, uneven sound reproduction

J.Michael Besse | Myrtle Beach, SC USA | 03/19/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The quiet Egon Petri, always lyric, combinded with transcendental vituosity takes us through a tour of recordings we are not sure he would have approved of as far as their release. Private rcordings exist with complaints from the artist, including the Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue "I don't know what all the fuss is all about..."
Perhaps Petri was not aware that there would be a whole generation of listeners waiting for the release of anything available enlightening them to the master's art.
With this CD, after numerous listenings and strict critical reaction, I would be willing to place the Brahms Variations on a buffet against any other interpretation. There is no other equal in recorded history. He didn't care for his Mazeppa, and I know why. It doesn't share the same immaculate plateau as the other selections offered, but there is no obvious trouble focusing on the meteoric rhythmic drive. And when he forgives himself and relaxes into the music, it is breathless.
I am limited by space here, but, this is a recording both important historically and necessary for the sheer joy it will bring the listener."