Search - Martha Argerich :: Martha Argerich Collection (Box) [Germany]

Argerich is one of the top 5 pianists of this century

Maria Hartung | 10/03/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Buy this record NOW and listen to a truly great pianist. I have just heard her live in Buenos Aires at 4 performances. Her versatility, energy, musicality and magic, as can be heard in this small collection, entraps the soul of the listener. Some purists may question her interpretations. I disagree. She is more faithful to the score than many and her renderings are like miracles. I had the pleasure of meeting her after her first performance here in Buenos Aires. There are no diva airs about her. She is no exhibitionist. She is down to earth and so are her performances. Her enormous strength allows her to tackle the most difficult and intricate passages and she dominates the 88 with uncomparable bravura. It is glorious to see her play. Her tensions, attacks and intensities take place within and only explode via her fingers. 13 years have passed since she last played in Buenos Aires; 35 since I heard her for the first time, when I was bearly 15 and a piano student myself. I am a follower, like many."

Get this set!

J. Lee | Los Angeles, CA United States | 03/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Argerich is arguably the greatest living classical pianist. She revels in limitless technical virtuosity and plays with expression and passion. Rumor has it that she never practices. This might explain the freshness of her interpretations. To my chagrin, her recent discography has been devoted to chamber music (with Kremer and Maisky), and her solo performances are indeed rare. This set is not a comprehensive collection of her Deutsche Grammophon recordings. However, it does include the majority of her solo piano works with DG. Save yourself the effort of trying to collect her works and get this impressive set. Every piece in this collection is worth your attention many times over. The Liszt Sonata is sublime. All the concertos are superb!! Many purists will disagree with me, but I believe that Argerich's Chopin is the way the composer meant the works to be played. Her Andante Spianato - Grand Polonaise Op.22 is Chopanesque in every way. Unfortunately, the one important missing performance that should be in every classical collection is her live recording of Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 3. But this was recorded with Polygram (now Philips/Universal) and can be purchased separately from Philips or as part of her Greatest Pianists of the 20th century set. You should also purchase her EMI Chopin debut album. I own the entire 94 CD Rubinstein set, the Horowitz Masterworks set, and many others... and this collection of 12 CD's is my favorite set highlighting one particular pianist. Superb sound quality ... filled with unmatched virtuosity ..."

Amazing!

music lover | new york, ny | 10/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Argerich thrills with these performances. This set is a must for all piano lovers!

Her Chopin in particular is just heavenly. And her virtousity is boundless throughout!"