Gilels The Giant Mozart
Fantasia in D minor K397, Piano Sonata in A minor K310;
Beethoven Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor
op.13 'Pathetique'. Piano Sonata No.14 in C sharp minor op.27/2
'Moonlight'. 32 Variations on an original theme in C minor Wo080 ;
Scriabin Piano Sonata No.3 in F sharp
minor op.23 ; Beethoven 32 Variations;
Schubert Moments musicaux D780
op.94 ; Schumann
Arabesque in C op.18; Liszt
Rhapsodie espagnole;
Ravel Pavane & Jeux
d'eau etc.
BMG 74321 75523 2 154'
26" 2CD around £13
Crotchet
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The appeal of this double-CD reissue compilation will be the revered Russian
pianist, Emil Gilels, but the programme itself comprises a substantial
musical meal. They are all live concert performances, which is all to the
good if you are not easily bothered by variable sound quality and audience
contributions, by cough as well as applause.
The recordings date from1965 (Schubert) to1984 (Scriabin). Those two are
amongst the best for sound, and the Schubert is astonishing for its phrasing
and articulation, one of the most involving and satisfying readings of a
set of pieces which can, under less sensitive hands, have its longeurs. The
Scriabin too can be heavy and sound repetitive, especially in the working
out of its initial theme, but this is one of the most convincing interpretations
I remember, and I found it gripping. Gilel's Mozart is a little dry and pedantic,
his Beethoven sound - the 32 Variations especially exciting. The Schumann
arabesque is a delight, but the Liszt, which I had heard him give
at the RFH shortly before his untimely death, a real tour de force,
unexpectedly disappointed me. Perhaps this just is music that demands to
be heard live, when electricity can be generated from platform to listeners.
The Ravel Pavane is a good demonstration of the refinement of tone
colour which only a great pianist can bring to simple pieces.
The recordings are mostly quite adequate, some better than that, and I have
no hesitation in recommending it; all collectors should have examples of
Gilels' supreme artistry in their collections, and this is a good selection
of music in his solo repertoire.
Reviewer
Peter Grahame Woolf
