On this highly charged occasion, Vladimir Feltsman performed live at the Moscow Conservatory during his first return to Russia since his exile in 1987. He certainly goes all out in what sounds like a deliberate effort to... more » give the performance of a lifetime. Rapid variations are dazzling, climaxes are powerful, and Feltsman often varies the repeats (all of which he takes) with embellishments and changes of register, sometimes playing the lower part above the upper. These additional elements make the recording even more compelling than it would otherwise have been. It sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime event. --Leslie Gerber« less
On this highly charged occasion, Vladimir Feltsman performed live at the Moscow Conservatory during his first return to Russia since his exile in 1987. He certainly goes all out in what sounds like a deliberate effort to give the performance of a lifetime. Rapid variations are dazzling, climaxes are powerful, and Feltsman often varies the repeats (all of which he takes) with embellishments and changes of register, sometimes playing the lower part above the upper. These additional elements make the recording even more compelling than it would otherwise have been. It sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime event. --Leslie Gerber
"Vladimir Feltsman approaches Bach fearlessly and with incredible insight. After seeing him perform the Goldberg Variations in Aspen, and then listening to this performance, I am left awestruck. He allows plenty of room for the myriad of Bach voices, whether in the left or right hand, and gives meditative wings to the most complex passages. He does something I believe no other classical pianists have done with Bach, and that is to let Bach's music speak for itself, layer after layer, note after note. The tone quality and nuance he achieves are exceptional! Bravo, Vladimir! I rank this performance right up there with Christophe Rousset's on the harpsichord."
An inspired Feltsman in his element
Alex Serrano | Perrysburg, Ohio United States | 02/21/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Vladimir Feltsman's career has been hindered first by the soviet government who would not allow him to play in the west and then when he finaly did break through, music labels did their best to have him record russian romantic repertoire which he never found as close to his heart as the works of beethoven and bach. Thus, he only recently has begun a concert career under his own terms.
And this uncompromising musicianship is what comes first as in this awe-inspiring live recording of the bach goldberg variations. It is not only the virtuosity and imagination which are supreme here, but also the absolute identification which the music which allow him to perform at this level of inspiration. Some listeners will be intrigued by Feltsman's rearanging of some of the voices for the repeats, but here Feltsman is not only showing us the potential of the music but also following performance practices with which Bach was fully identified. The end result may well be one of the most amazing displays of absolute understanding and virtuosity, and also a rare glimpse of an artist at the top of his powers making music sound fresh. This event could have only been captured live - and this is hardly beleivable given the excellent sound and balance recorded here. As any other reviewer for this disc, how i wish i could have been there..."
The most interesting Goldbergs
Alex Serrano | 06/13/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is wonderful. It is my favorite version of the Goldberg Variations and my favorite Feltsman recording. The live performance is captured beautifully.A criticism that I've read about Vladimir Feltsman's Bach is that it contains too much Feltsman. But aren't his unique methods of improvisation in the repeats what Bach might have wanted, what he left available for the artist's interpretation? To repeat, with one's own musical ideas?Vladimir Feltsman's work is always interesting and identifiable. There may be Goldbergs played with more speed elsewhere, but no one plays them with more feeling. Consider the where and when and what of this concert -- Bach in Moscow, finally. The Quodlibet *feels* proud. How I would have loved to have seen Feltsman's face during this performance!"
For the Liberal Bachians
F. Sng | Singapore | 06/02/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A most creative and daring approach to the Goldberg Variations is displayed by the Russian pianist. His rendition shows us his musical intelligence and creativity. Improvisations are made in many variations, bringing out a different color and tonal beauty but retaining its originality. Octaves are used sparingly in some variations to enhance the bass voice. All repeats are observed and the entire work spans more than 79 mins. An invaluable essay of the work by Feltsman comes with the sleeve notes. All in all, it is a youthful and most individual approach indeed, a sure welcome for the liberal Bachians. Strongly recommended."
An astonishing Goldberg
Albert H. Cohen | 12/05/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This Feltsman recording is of a live performance. That alone would make it exceptional because of the flawless playing.
But it has another fabulous feature: he does all the da capo repeats with his own variations on the variations.
I had heard him perform it live in New York City and followed with the score. It was just astonishing how beautifully and creatively his playing of the da capo repeats enhanced the overall performance.
I have many "Goldbergs," including both Gould performances and this one is the best.