Search - Sergei Prokofiev, François-Frederic Guy :: Prokofiev: Piano Sonatas Nos. 6 & 8

The illustration shows the pianist in a black T-shirt and martial arts pose, fist outstretched. It's not as silly as it looks initially, since in the first movement of the Sixth Sonata, Prokofiev calls on the pianist to strike the keyboard with a clenched fist. Guy's aggressive pose reflects his power and energy, but it's not the whole story of his playing. He plays the climaxes of Prokofiev's scores with great power. He also captures the wistfulness of the Sixth Sonata's Allegretto (the calm after the storm), and makes sense out of the puzzling music in the Eighth Sonata's first movement. These performances cover the very wide range of Prokofiev's demands, and while François-Fr&eacutedéric Guy isn't quite Sviatoslav Richter yet, he comes amazingly close to that legendary pianist's achievements. If only his label had used the blank space on this 57-minute CD to include the Seventh Sonata, this would be an irresistible disc. As it is, with its realistic, resonant sound, it's still very attractive. --Leslie Gerber