Balakirev Islamey; Liadov Piano Works; Rachmaninov Piano Sonata
A splendid programme from a prize-winning pianist
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Sergey Rachmaninov, Sergey Ivanovich Taneyev, Mily Alexeyevich Balakirev, Anatole Konstantinovich Liadov (Lyadov)
Genre:
Instrumental
Label: Harmonia Mundi
Magazine Review Date: 5/2005
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 76
Mastering:
Stereo
DDD
Catalogue Number: HMU90 7399

Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
Sonata for Piano No. 2 |
Sergey Rachmaninov, Composer
Olga Kern, Piano Sergey Rachmaninov, Composer |
(5) Morceaux de fantaisie |
Sergey Rachmaninov, Composer
Olga Kern, Piano Sergey Rachmaninov, Composer |
Prelude and Fugue |
Sergey Ivanovich Taneyev, Composer
Olga Kern, Piano Sergey Ivanovich Taneyev, Composer |
(3) Pieces, Movement: No. 1, Prelude in D flat |
Anatole Konstantinovich Liadov (Lyadov), Composer
Anatole Konstantinovich Liadov (Lyadov), Composer Olga Kern, Piano |
(A) Musical snuffbox |
Anatole Konstantinovich Liadov (Lyadov), Composer
Anatole Konstantinovich Liadov (Lyadov), Composer Olga Kern, Piano |
Au jardin |
Mily Alexeyevich Balakirev, Composer
Mily Alexeyevich Balakirev, Composer Olga Kern, Piano |
Islamey |
Mily Alexeyevich Balakirev, Composer
Mily Alexeyevich Balakirev, Composer Olga Kern, Piano |
Author: Bryce Morrison
She makes light of Taneyev’s fearsome fugue in his Op 29 and throughout this entire recital you never sense a pianist studio-bound but rather someone who, enviably liberated, relishes everything she offers. Liadov’s and Balakirev’s gentler romantic musings are as convincing as the latter’s Islamey which is both fastidiously written as well as the ultimate white-knuckle ride for the pianist. You may remain puzzled by Kern’s inconsistent pauses at the end of phrases in Islamey but such idiosyncrasy seems marginal when set beside her effortless command, colour and character. Described as ‘brilliant, glassy, supremely aggressive and dazzlingly virtuosic in the Horowitz manner’ (The Washington Post) Kern remains ‘brilliant’ but also fine-toned and true to her own lights. Sheer talent does not come more transparently and, to top it all, Harmonia Mundi’s sound is of demonstration refinement and quality.
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