A great introduction to a one-of-a-kind pianist
Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 06/11/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Genius" is a word Pogorelich's admireres would use without blushing, while his detractors find him mannered and eccentric. This CD should dispel a lot of grumbling, because it contains two of his best concerto recordings, the Chopin Second and Tchaikovsky First, both with a very sympathetic Abbado doing some of his best work with, respectively, the Chicago Sym. and the LSO. The sonics are superb in the Tchaikovsky, which rates high on my list for its winning combinaiton of terrific sound, true collaboration between Abbado and his soloist, and above all Pogorelich's imaginaiton at the keyboard.
Only in the classical music world could a Chopin specialist be called a bad boy. Pogo's recording of the four Scherzos horrified purists, especially for his slow tempos. but this Scherzo #3 isn't slow--it's just wildly personal. Isn't that a virtue in the arts? His Gaspard de la Nuit is another high point; Ravel demands imagination, poise, refinement, and brilliant technique in fast, quiet passages. I think Pogo's version rivals Michelangeli's but without the chill.
Two CDs for the price of one is a geat bargain (the Tchaikovsky concerto still occupies a whole disc in another DG series), and my only regret is that this unique artist doesn't seem to be making recordings anymore. (Can it really be that he turns 48 this year?)"
A pianist sorely missed.
Abel | Hong Kong | 09/17/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"One of the batch of the more famous pianists born in 1958 (Angela Hewitt, Yefim Bronfman and Ivo Pogorelich, really, 49 should be a golden performance age) that have sadly left the performance arena too early.
While Pogorelich initially gained his fame as a Chopin competitor, I think his real strength lies in his marvellous interpretation of the baroque and classical compositions: Scarlatti, Bach, Haydn and Mozart (I am trying to obtain his Beethoven as well).
This collection got some of his Scarlatti performances. They are nothing short of being 'the' interpretation. Later recordings by young pianists like Yundi Li really flops in the face of Pogo's marvellous performance.
Added bonuses in the form of an unique Tchaikovsky No. 1 and Chopin No. 2 concertos (both with Abbado) reveal more deeply the individual readings of these two compositions by this great artist. He plays them differently; but he 'has' good reasons to be different.
The Gaspard de la nuit is another individual reading that offers 'real stuff'.
Fans of Ivo would find real consolation in the inlaid poster-cum-press clips. A truly great value-for-money set. BUT this would not deter real Pogorelich fans from obtaining his other precious recordings still on DG's sales list!"
Pianist Par Excellence
E. J. Long | Lafayette CA | 10/30/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This 2 CD album is a dazzler. Emotional, well paced, thoroughly enoyable. made me go out and buy more of Pogorelich's recordings."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1