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Martha Argerich - Music for
Two Pianos Pyotr Ilyich
TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
1. Suite from The Nutcracker Op. 71a
(1892) [21.51], transc. Nicolas Economou Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)
2. Suite No. 2 Op. 17 for two pianos
(1900-01) [21.38]
3. Six Morceaux Op. 11 for piano four hands
(1894) [23.12] Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897)
4. Sonata in F minor Op. 34b for two pianos
(1864?) [38.35]
5. Variations on a theme by Haydn Op. 56b
for two pianos (1873) [15.09] Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953)
6. Symphony No. 1 in D “Classical”Op.25
(1916-17) [13.22] transc. Rikuya Terashima Witold LUTOSLAWSKI (1913-1994)
7. Variations on a Theme by Paganinifor
two pianos (1941) [5.44]
Martha
Argerich (piano - all), 2nd piano: Mirabela Dina
(1), Gabriela Montero (2), Lilya Zilberstein
3,4), Polina Leschenko (5) Yefim Bronfman (6) Giorgia
Tomassi (7)
rec. live in concert, Auditorio Stelio Molo, Lugano,
Switzerland, June 2002 (4), June 2003 (1-3,7), June 2004
(6) and June 2005 (5), 2 CD set, DDD
Booklet in English, German and French EMI
CLASSICS 2076232 [69.41 + 76.38]
It
is very difficult to write about a pianist of Martha
Argerich’s stature without sounding repetitive. Numerous
articles have been written about her artistry and brilliance;
torrents of words have been poured all over the papers
and the internet in an attempt to describe her virtuoso
performances, so to be given her latest EMI release for
review is as much of a delight as it is a challenge.
This
two CD set is not only about Argerich. It is a marvellous
compilation of a variety of pieces transcribed or specifically
written for two pianos by different composers. What they
all have in common is the fact that each work was performed
and recorded live, though in different years, during
the Lugano Music Festival, as part of the “Progetto Martha
Argerich”, which has become a tradition. The project,
now in its seventh consecutive year, takes place in June
and celebrates the artistry of virtuoso pianist Martha
Argerich in collaboration with other great pianists,
some already well established artists; others at the
beginning of their careers. Supporting and nurturing
new talent is something close to Argerich’s heart. She
has invested a great deal of time in promoting emerging
musicians with as much commitment and dedication as she
puts into her own performances.
The
first CD begins with Tchaikovsky’s Suite from the
Nutcracker, which he composed before completing the
entire ballet, according to some sources, or just after
the ballet’s first production in 1892, as stated by others.
Whichever is true, the fact is that it is famous, independently
of the ballet, and often makes concert hall programmes
as a piece in its own right. Tchaikovsky also wrote a
shorter version for piano but while the Suite from
the Nutcracker is wonderful in its orchestral format,
due to the composer’s brilliant orchestration and wide
variety of beautiful themes, the piano version has never
achieved the same degree of recognition. Arguably, Tchaikovsky
was not as insightful with the piano as he was with the
orchestra, which could be the reason. Cleverly, Martha
Argerich chose here to perform the transcription for
two pianos by the great Cypriot pianist Nicolas Economou
who managed to capture much of the magic of Tchaikovsky’s
original piece for the orchestra. She teams up with the
young, gifted Romanian pianist Mirabela Dina (b. 1976).
The result is as delightful as it is virtuosic. The experienced
mature execution of Argerich perfectly merges with Dina’s
vivacious, at times playful rendition, wonderfully capturing
the innocent, childlike character of the piece. The two
pianos appear almost as one when together, and in harmonious,
joyful dialogue when conversing with each other. Simply
brilliant and uplifting, setting very high standards
indeed for the remainder of the compilation.
The
second and third pieces, following Tchaikovsky, are both
from Rachmaninov, himself an outstanding pianist. The
first, the Suite No. 2 for two pianos, he composed
when still in his twenties but his mastery of the instrument
is patent throughout the piece. It contains beautifully
lyrical melodies that alternate with colourful, complex
passages and, as with most of Rachmaninov’s piano compositions,
it requires pianists with a great sensitive understanding
of the instrument as well as virtuosic ability. No better
collaboration could be found than this one between Argerich
and Venezuelan-born virtuoso Gabriela Montero (b.1970),
celebrated worldwide for her fabulous improvisations
on stage upon melodies given her by the audience. It
is difficult to describe in words the effect of these
two pianists performing this marvellous piece. They create
a crystal clear sound that infiltrates the skin and leaves
you breathless. One cannot just read about it; one must
experience it and the only way is to listen to this recording
in all its glory. I must say that it was my favourite
piece of the entire album and that I felt envious of
the audience who witnessed such a great performance.
For
the second Rachmaninov composition, which completes CD
1, Six Morceaux for piano four hands, as well
as for the first of CD 2, Johannes Brahms’ Sonata
in F minor for two pianos, Argerich teams up with
Russian pianist Lilya Zilberstein. Like Argerich she
was a winner of the prestigious Ferrucio Busoni International
Piano Competition. Born in 1965, Zilberstein can no longer
be counted as a young emerging talent. She is undoubtedly
a gifted, established pianist and her two collaborations
with Argerich, recorded here, clearly demonstrate her
qualities. The execution of these two duets is equally
wonderful and compelling, revealing both pianists’ technical
mastery as well as their sensitive but vivacious approach.
Personally, I prefer the Brahms, which in this performance
reveals great comprehension of the composer’s romanticism
particularly during the fourth movement, entitled Finale,
which lasts approximately ten minutes and is simply glorious.
Coincidence
or purpose, I do not know, however it is interesting
that this two CD set is almost entirely an all-female
affair where the pianists are concerned. The only male
interpreter is Russian-Israeli Yefim Bronfman (b.1958),
who like Argerich hardly needs an introduction. He is
an established artist, with a distinguished, illustrious
career, perhaps better known for his recitals with Isaac
Stern in 1991 and his Grammy Award-winning recording
of the three Bartók piano concertos with the Los Angeles
Philharmonic and Finnish conductor/composer Esa-Pekka
Salonen, in 1997. Salonen dedicated his piano concerto
to him and Bronfman premiered it, in January 2007, with
the New York Philharmonic under the composer’s baton.
He also performed it at the European premiere of the
piece during the BBC Proms in the same year. His collaboration
with Argerich is here on a fantastic transcription for
two pianos by Rikuya Terashima (b.1964, Tokyo) of Prokofiev’s
wonderful Symphony No. 1, the “Classical”. The
teaming up of two of the greatest pianists in the world
at present, brings to life a duet of rare achievement
that does full justice to Prokofiev’s original.
Finally,
there are two sets of variations, which are as wonderful
as they are popular. The first is Brahms’ Variations
on a theme by Haydn, Op. 56b, which he wrote specifically
for two pianos. The second is Witold Lutoslawski’s Variations
on a theme by Paganini, also for two pianos, which
is perhaps slightly less known than Rachmaninov’s version
for piano and orchestra. It is no less beautiful or difficult
to perform. Argerich collaborates here with two slightly
less famous but extremely gifted young pianists. For
the Brahms, she plays with Russian wonder-girl Polina
Leschenko (b.1981) and for the Lutoslawski with Italy’s
Giorgia Tomassi whose interpretation of Chopin’s Études released
by EMI in 1997 won her enthusiastic critical acclaim.
Both Brahms’ Haydn Variations and Lutoslawski’s Paganini Variations are
near perfect in execution, creating two of the most exciting
musical moments of this two CD set; producing duets of
great accomplishment and rare sensibility.
This
compilation of live recordings of Argerich’s collaborations
with other great pianists represents work of exquisite
beauty. The fact that all pieces are for two pianos does
not in any way mean that the effect is monotonous. On
the contrary, one forgets there is no orchestra because
the music is delivered with a similar intense, glorious
sound even in compositions that were not originally written
for two pianos.
This
two CD set is a must-have, not only for the wonderful
pieces from some of the greatest composers that ever
lived but also for the fact that one seldom encounters
so many illustrious names recorded live for posterity
in a single set.
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