Pictures At An Exhibition: V. Ballet Of The Unhatched Chicks
Pictures At An Exhibition: VI. Samuel Goldberg und Schmuyle
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: VII. The Limoges Market
Pictures At An Exhibition: VIII. Catacombae: Sepulcrum romanum
Pictures At An Exhibition: Con mortuis in lingua mortua
Pictures At An Exhibition: IX. The Hut On Chicken's Legs
Pictures At An Exhibition: X. The Great (Bogatyrs') Gate Of Kiev
Valses nobles et sentimentales: I. Modere - tres franc
Valses nobles et sentimentales: II. Assez lent, avec une expression intense
Valses nobles et sentimentales: III. Modere
Valses nobles et sentimentales: IV. Assez anime
Valses nobles et sentimentales: V. Presque lent, dans un sentiment intime
Valses nobles et sentimentales: VI. Vif
Valses nobles et sentimentales: VII. Moins vif
Valses nobles et sentimentales: VIII. Epilogue: Lent
Ivo Pogorelich is determined to leave his personal imprint on every note he plays. Here, however, his ideas are less unconventional than they are way off base. The pianist takes 42 minutes to get through Pictures at an ... more »Exhibition, compared to the standard half hour, and adds five extra minutes to most performances of the Ravel. This is because Pogorelich's frequent lingerings and expansions of phrase are rarely counterbalanced with a steady, referential pulse. Subsequently, the music swoons into disconnected phrases and dies on the vine. Seek out Sviatoslav Richter's more stylish--yet every bit as individualistic--Mussorgsky, or Artur Rubinstein's dashing, emotionally healthy Ravel. Keyboard fanciers, however, will understandably wish to savor Pogorelich's remarkable pianism. --Jed Distler« less
Ivo Pogorelich is determined to leave his personal imprint on every note he plays. Here, however, his ideas are less unconventional than they are way off base. The pianist takes 42 minutes to get through Pictures at an Exhibition, compared to the standard half hour, and adds five extra minutes to most performances of the Ravel. This is because Pogorelich's frequent lingerings and expansions of phrase are rarely counterbalanced with a steady, referential pulse. Subsequently, the music swoons into disconnected phrases and dies on the vine. Seek out Sviatoslav Richter's more stylish--yet every bit as individualistic--Mussorgsky, or Artur Rubinstein's dashing, emotionally healthy Ravel. Keyboard fanciers, however, will understandably wish to savor Pogorelich's remarkable pianism. --Jed Distler
CD Reviews
Ambient yet accessible.
Andrew M. Schirmer | Seattle, WA USA | 10/13/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I'll go ahead and agree with Amazon that the Mussorgsky is a bit slow. "Ill Vecchio Castilo" and the catacomb movement in particular just drag on and on. However...The Ravel is an absolute delight. Never has "Valses" been so "Sentimental." Every phrase is given the utmost care, and the true beauty of the music is brought out. While Porgelich's interpretation of these simple pieces sometimes borders on ambient, he somehow manages to drag the melody out of it...just when you think you're lost...Anyone who would like to hear a fresh interpretation should pick this up."
Oh, come ON!!!!
Matthew D. White | New Orleans, LA | 12/15/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is one heck of an album! Sure, IVO plays with the tempos alot, but his pianism is of a highly adventurous caliber, and his interpretations are never careless.Also, the sound on this disc is more than adequate; actually one of the best recorded pianos I've heard on disc. I have no idea why the sound receives any negative marks here.I don't think Ivo Pogorelich is interested in paying homage to anyone; not composer nor pianists past. But his approach does have the adventurous spirit of someone like Glenn Gould; if you can tolerate the guy, this makes for one exciting musical experience. Yes, it sounds like he is playing to please himself, rather than to placate an aesthetic or snooty audience. But I admire his chutzpah."
Recording quality is the problem
Matthew D. White | 01/05/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Altough I consider the Croatian pianist Ivo Pogorelich to be perhaps the greatest living pianist, I can't uncriticaly endorse this recording. I have heard Pogorelich play both these works in concert, mark my words, it was phenomenal. My problem here is the recording quality. After Pogorelich recorded the Liszt sonata he was criticized for having chosen a sound that was too close to the piano, too direct in other words, without any projection. I didn't mind so much because it allows one to hear each note clearly, and to enjoy Pogorelich's great tonality. In this recording, as with the recording of Chopin's scherzos which came a year later, the listener feels as if he is located at the back of a church. The projection of the sound is too distant, notes become mudled together and lose their definition. During some cascades of sound the blending of notes is so great that you lose all sense of melody. What a shame, for Ravel's first waltz would so benefit -with its sharp, rythmic performance- from a close microphone, and yet it is too clamy sounding to be really enjoyed. I hope Mr. Pogorelich returns to the sound quality of his earlier CD's. I find the latest releases deny us the oportunity to enjoy fully what makes him great."
Pogorelich: The Master of Rubato
Matthew D. White | 04/18/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Mr Pogorelich gives a well articulated and clear version of Mussorgsky's Pictures, however, the expansion on phrases doesn't make sense. All of his playing is a Masterclass of technique and talent, it would be simply much better if the music could be left as the most important part of his creation. Ivo is one of the greatest pianists of the century, he should be just "Ivo " and not "Il Divo"."
Track Listings (24) - Disc #1