Dino Ciani is a cult figure on the Continent. Until I heard this CD I had always regarded his reputation as being rather inflated and partially due to the fact that he was killed in a car accident when in his thirties. The playing here, however banishes the doubts that I had. This was a hugely talented artist with a thrilling Latin temperament and enough in the way of technique to match. My only regret is that the sound quality is so poor; the recording was very much an amateur effort, even though the performances come from between 1965–8.
The Eroica Variations, which open the CD, is for me the least successful item. Ciani exploits the virtuoso side of the music to the detriment of its character. Everything needs greater breadth and the fugue is rather trivialized when taken at such a fast tempo. But moving to the Schumann one can delight in a wholly convincing reading. His playing has in abundance what is for me the prime requisite for an artist—the ability to bring the music to life. The intensity and impassioned eccentricity of Schumann's score are captured with a superb sense of style. The finale of this F sharp minor Sonata can seem inordinately long if taken at too slow a tempo and Ciani shows how it should be done. His spontaneity is wonderfully effective The piano, by the way, is very out of tune in this plece.
After that, we are treated to one of the best performances of Balakirev's Islamey ever recorded. It is not approached as a stunt, but an invigorating journey into a far away culture, as seen through the romantic eyes of a nineteenth-century Russian patriot. Ciani takes risks, but he always manages to keep just within the capabilities of his technique. I have seldom heard the slow central section played with such poetry.
I do not care much for the rush through the Chopin Etude, but the other items are all superb. The icy tautness of Liszt's ''Chasse-neige'' is menacing with left-hand runs imitating its gusts of snow. The gentle intimacy of Chopin's B major Nocture is caught with extreme refinement and the trills have a bird-like quality. The Scriabin also suites his style. Altogether this release is a wonderful tribute to Ciani. I am only sorry that other recordings I have heard from him have been disappointing.'