Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Carl Maria von Weber, Emil Gilels :: Gilels Plays Beethoven & Weber

Gilels Triumphans

Bing-Alguin | 11/27/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Of all the extensive output of Emil Gilels's musical remains, this is a really glorious issue, produced out of the seemingly inexhaustible BBC Legends reservoir. It is all taken from a concert in Royal Festival Hall in 1968. A long Beethoven section presents a Waldstein sonata that sounds a little bit different from Gilels's other Waldsteins, a refreshing and immensely fascinating version, with the allegro of the first movement really "con brio" and with an overall conception that makes a deep impression. The Twelve Variations on the Russian Dance from Paul Wranitsky's ballet Das Waldmädchen, WoO 71, is a rarity, seldom played nowadays, perhaps not one of Beethoven's most inspired pieces, but still worth listening to, particularly when it emerges from Gilels's Russian hands. The real peak of the whole record, however, is the 32 Variations on an Original Theme in C minor, WoO 80, definitely being one of Beethoven's most inspired works. Gilels covers all the 32 variations in just eleven minutes, with a stunning and dazzling tempo that has time for the most serene passages all the same. Quite amazing! The second part of the record contains Weber's second piano sonata in A flat major, also a rarely played piece nowadys, but one of Gilels's own favorites. The way he played it here reveals the reason for it: it is undoubtedly one of the most exuberant pieces of Romantic piano music composed, especially the long first movement with its fluent legato character. A masterpiece well worth being more played by pianists to-day. The remastering is not quite satisfying, but what does it matter when Gilels performs these pieces in such an unequalled way. In all, a ravishing record, a great joy for all piano lovers and an indescribable bliss for all Gilels admirers."