Search - Brahms, Sokolov :: Piano Sonata 3 / Ballades Op 10

Striking and beautiful Brahms

carol France | 03/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this CD because it got an impressive French award, just out of curiosity. I never heard of Sokolov before and did not like Brahms, but this CD has become one of my best. I am interested in classical piano, have heard hundreds of pianists, and yet Sokolov managed to impress me with this unsurpassed live performance.His style is very different from the others. He is very romantic, deep, mature, sophisticated, has a mixture of passion and repose that leads you to another world and forget everything else.
He does not merely play the notes, but also all the subtle human emotions that make this live recording the most impressive, the most poignant, and yet the most touching and tender Brahms ever heard. The sound is lively and gorgeous. I never get tired of listening to this recording. Since then, I bought all Sokolov's CDs available. A pianist who can make me love a composition I used to dislike is surely la perle rare!"

There is a Titan in the piano world

Harvey E. Mintz | NY State | 04/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"And his name is Grigory Sokolov. Interpretations of the utmost seriousness and dignity, power and nuance which few if any can equal, technique that is at the service of the music rather than using the music to display the technique (which is more common in today's track-meet called classical music performance). I have all of the pices on this CD played by the legendary Arthur Rubenstein. I prefer the Sokolov."

Immensely powerful performance of the sonata

Scriabinmahler | UK | 02/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
This is immensely powerful and intense account of this sonata, which surpasses even richter's Praga recording, not to mention deeply poetic rendition of slower sections and movements. Sokolov's grandiose style of playing somehow fit this heavy music well. Probably one of his best live recordings along side his Chopin recordings and Paris Live on DVD."