Alberto Reyes Plays Bach, Chopin, Franck
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Robert Schumann, César Franck, Fryderyk Chopin, Ferruccio (Dante Michelangiolo Benvenuto) Busoni
Genre:
Instrumental
Label: Vai
Magazine Review Date: 07/2017
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 66
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: VAIA1284
Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
Chaconne from Violin Partita BWV1004 |
Ferruccio (Dante Michelangiolo Benvenuto) Busoni, Composer
Alberto Reyes, Piano Ferruccio (Dante Michelangiolo Benvenuto) Busoni, Composer |
Polonaise-Fantaisie |
Fryderyk Chopin, Composer
Alberto Reyes, Piano Fryderyk Chopin, Composer |
Prélude, choral et fugue |
César Franck, Composer
Alberto Reyes, Piano César Franck, Composer |
Sonata for Piano No. 2 |
Robert Schumann, Composer
Alberto Reyes, Piano Robert Schumann, Composer |
Author: Jed Distler
By contrast, the Franck Prelude is uncommonly animated and translucent in Reyes’s fluent hands, followed by a Chorale anchored by firmly projected bass lines and a sweeping Fugue that benefits from his favouring line over mass. If Reyes’s Chopin Polonaise-fantaisie lacks the cutting edge and galvanic brilliance of Horowitz’s classic live 1966 Carnegie Hall recording, his intimately drawn, gently swaggering way with the main theme that follows the introduction keeps the polonaise rhythm in focus. There’s more backbone than usual to the moody central section, while, conversely, Reyes resists pressing ahead in the final peroration: an unconventional yet convincing interpretation.
While Reyes is not about to outsprint Martha Argerich or Marc-André Hamelin in the Schumann G minor Sonata’s swifter movements, his thoughtful musicality easily elevates him across the finish line. He uncovers important inner lines and pointed accents within the first movement’s broken chords and distinctly characterises the Rondo’s thematic contrasts, cannily sidestepping the music’s potential for textural clutter. I especially warm to Reyes’s eloquent Andantino, where the right-hand melodies and left-hand arabesques interweave with heartfelt flexibility. Reyes’s booklet notes are as articulate and thought-provoking as his music-making. In short, this gratifying and well-engineered release is highly recommended.
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