Classical Music for Aficionados
I have listened to all of Gulda's recordings, but never seen him until this: Friedrich Gulda plays Mozart - Fantasia K397, Piano Sonatas K 333 & K576 (1995) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tXj_OsI-Z0 |
Recently went to a recital of the up-and-coming Ukrainian pianist Vadym Kholodenko. Blazing technique, but lacking a little bit of heart, I thought. His way with a Mozart Fantasia was quite analytical, pulling it apart. Most at home and best in the Godowsky/Chopin Studies/Etudes, with displays of quite extraordinary pianism. His left hand sounds like a minimum of other people's two (or three!). I will admit that at one juncture I turned on the inner audiophile and listened to the sound qua sound. I was sitting quite close. The nouns that occurred to me were body, immediacy, and clarity, not necessarily in that order. His bass fortissimos were resounding. The treble was interesting. The notes could cut through the overall sound envelope, but yet they were never astringent, just striking. I think that this is a tightrope act that not all audio systems (or recordings?) pull off. |
I am very impressed with the young Russian pianists of the last twenty years Kissin not withstanding . I find them to be awesome technicians with dynamic contrasts that really stagger in their volume. My young Russians now are, Trifonov , Volodin , Sudbin , Kolestnikov ( a poet ) and most of all Volodos ( superlatives are not enough for him but will have to do . If you want to hear pure poetry listen to his new release of Schubert's Great A Major Sonata D959. |
Watching a film "Andrei Gavrilov Plays Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov and Shostakovich" featuring Gideon Kremer on violin in some of the performances. There is a lot of talk/explanation about the music and the composers. The role of host is played by Michael Berkeley. Incredibly good, informative. There is also bonus short film "Russian Vunkerkins" by Irene Langemann. Highly recommended. |
