Stravinsky - Works For Two Pianos

Vladimir Ashkenazy: piano
Andrei Gavrilov: piano

Lossless: Ape (img + cue + log) = 206 mb
Lossy: Mp3 (lame "preset standard") = 93 mb
Scans @ 300dpi = 18 mb

Total playing time: 67:42

Recorded: January 1990 / June 1991, Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, UK

Released: 1992, Decca 433 829-2

Track listing:
1. Scherzo a la russe
2. Concerto for 2 pianos: 1. Con moto
3. Concerto for 2 pianos: 2. Notturno
4. Concerto for 2 pianos: 3. Quattro variazioni
5. Concerto for 2 pianos: 4. Preludio e fuga
6. Sonata for 2 pianos: 1. Moderato
7. Sonata for 2 pianos: 2. Largo
8. Sonata for 2 pianos: 3. Allegretto
9. Le Sacre du Printemps: Part I - The Adoration of the Earth
10. Le Sacre du Printemps: The Augurs of Spring
11. Le Sacre du Printemps: Ritual of Abduction
12. Le Sacre du Printemps: Spring Rounds
13. Le Sacre du Printemps: Ritual of the Rival Tribes
14. Le Sacre du Printemps: Procession of the Sage
15. Le Sacre du Printemps: Dance of the Earth
16. Le Sacre du Printemps: Part II - The Sacrifice
17. Le Sacre du Printemps: Mystic Circles of the Young Girls
18. Le Sacre du Printemps: Glorification of the Choosen One
19. Le Sacre du Printemps: Evocation of the Ancestors
20. Le Sacre du Printemps: Ritual Action of the Ancestors
21. Le Sacre du Printemps: Sacrificial Dance

Review:
Gramophone

Without doubt, this has to be one of the most satisfying, nay galvanizing, two-piano recitals I have had the pleasure of sampling for a long time. Ashkenazy and Gavrilov commence proceedings with a rhythmically taut, crisply articulated account of the rarely heard two-piano arrangement of the Scherzo a la russe. Originally intended as music for an abortive project for a war film, the Scherzo is more frequently heard in either its orchestral or jazz ensemble versions, but as Ashkenazy and Gavrilov so persuasively prove there is much to be said for more than an occasional airing in Stravinsky's own arrangement for two pianos. Next, come Stravinsky's two original works for the medium: the Concerto for two solo pianos dating from 1931-5 and the Sonata of 1943. The spiky, contrapuntal textures and acute contrasts of the four-movement Concerto are splendidly projected in this performance, lifting what can often sound like one of Stravinsky's more academic essays into a much more attractive and approachable work, and I was also more acutely aware of the influence of Prokofiev in the first movement than I have been in previous encounters with this work—particularly from the latter's Sixth Sonata and Second Concerto. The briefer, leaner, more economical Sonata for two pianos originally began life as a solo piano sonata, but was redesigned for two pianos when Stravinsky realized that four hands were required to successfully bring out the clarity of the four contrapuntal lines, and this is admirably achieved in this appropriately understated performance.

Finally, Ashkenazy and Gavrilov give what must be one of the most exciting renditions of the two-piano version of The Rite of Spring on disc. Apart from a purely academic viewpoint — or as an occasional reminder of the sheer revolutionary nature of this beast — I have never been entirely convinced of the value of this version. That is until now; Ashkenazy and Gavrilov give a full-blooded performance (no pale imitation of The Rite here) rhythmically incisive and with every minute gear change and every nuance finely judged. Their success, I believe, is partly due to a staunch refusal to emulate orchestral sonorities; that, and simply some astonishing playing—in their hands this sounds like a remarkably pianistic score and I can strongly recommend this as a supplement to the orchestral version. An admirable collection of Stravinsky output for two pianos then, superbly recorded and played by two master pianists on cracking form — what more can I say!

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Brahms - Violin Sonatas Nos. 1-3

Itzhak Perlman: violin
Vladimir Ashkenazy: piano

Lossless: Ape (img + cue + log) = 306 mb
Lossy: Mp3 (lame "preset standard") = 90 mb
Artwork @ 300dpi = 13 mb

Total playing time: 69:02

Recorded:
20-23.IV.1983
No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London

Released:
1998, EMI 7243 5 66893 2 9

Track listing:
1. Violin Sonata No.1 in G major Op.78, I. Vivace ma non troppo
2. Violin Sonata No.1 in G major Op.78, II. Adagio
3. Violin Sonata No.1 in G major Op.78, III. Allegro molto moderato
4. Violin Sonata No.2 in A major Op.100, I. Allegro amabile
5. Violin Sonata No.2 in A major Op.100, II. Andante tranquillo - Vivace
6. Violin Sonata No.2 in A major Op.100, III. Allegretto Grazioso (Quasi Andante)
7. Violin Sonata No,3 in D minor Op.108, I. Allegro
8. Violin Sonata No,3 in D minor Op.108, II. Adagio
9. Violin Sonata No,3 in D minor Op.108, III. Un poco presto e con sentimento
10. Violin Sonata No,3 in D minor Op.108, IV. Presto agitato

Reviews:
Amazon.com 'essential recording'
Itzhak Perlman is the greatest living exponent of the Romantic, sentimental style of violin playing. As in his reading of the Brahms concerto, he shows sovereign mastery in these accounts, which are characterized by intense emotion and heated expression (Perlman's warm vibrato and carefully placed portamentos quickly give him away), but are also gripping in the quiet, meditative pages. The first two sonatas' relationship to songs could easily be guessed from the way Perlman plays them in a single, seamless line, marked by soaring climaxes and tender, haunting pianissimos. The treatment sometimes does seem a bit premeditated, but it is so compelling as to sweep aside any criticism. In this 1983 recording (sonically superior to Perlman's later remake with pianist Daniel Barenboim, for Sony), the violin sounds slightly forward, though not unpleasantly so. Warm, supportive, lyrical playing from Vladmir Ashkenazy rounds out a marvelous offering.

Gramophone (click to enlarge):

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Beethoven - The Violin Sonatas [Perlman]

Itzhak Perlman: violin
Vladimir Ashkenazy: piano

Lossless: Ape (img + cue + log) = 960 mb
Lossy: Mp3 (lame "preset standard") = 329 mb
Artwork @ 300dpi = 25 mb

Total playing time: 239:08

Recorded:
Kingsway Hall, London
October 1973 (Nos. 2 & 9); May 1974 (Nos. 4 & 7); June 1974 (No.5); August 1975 (Nos. 1, 3 & 8); November 1975 (Nos. 6 & 10)

Released:
1988; Decca 421 453-2

Track listing:
1. Violin Sonata No.1 in D major,op.12,no.1 - Allegro con brio
2. Violin Sonata No.1 in D major, op.12,no.1 - Tema con variazzioni: Andante con motto
3. Violin Sonata No.1 in D major, op.12,no.1 - Rondo: Allegro
4. Violin Sonata No.2 in A major,op.12,no.2 - Allegro vivace
5. Violin Sonata No.2 in A major, op.12, no.12 - Andante, piu tosto allegretto
6. Violin Sonata No.2 in A major, op.12, no.12 - Allegro piacevolo
7. Violin Sonata No.3 in E flat major, op.12, no.3 -Allegro con spirito
8. Violin Sonata No.3 in E flat major, op.12, no.3 - Adagio con molt'espressione
9. Violin Sonata No.3 in E flat major, op.12, no.3 -Rondo: Allegro molto

1. Violin Sonata No.4 in A minor Op.23 -I- Presto
2. Violin Sonata No.4 in A minor Op.23 -II- Andante scherzoso, più allegretto
3. Violin Sonata No.4 in A minor Op.23 -III- Allegro molto
4. Violin Sonata No.6 in A Op.30 No.1 -I- Allegro
5. Violin Sonata No.6 in A Op.30 No.1 -II- Adagio molto espressivo
6. Violin Sonata No.6 in A Op.30 No.1 -III- Allegretto con variazioni
7. Violin Sonata No.8 in G Op.30 No.3 -I- Allegro assai
8. Violin Sonata No.8 in G Op.30 No.3 -II- Tempo di minuetto, ma molto moderato e grazioso
9. Violin Sonata No.8 in G Op.30 No.3 -III- Allegro vivace

1. Violin Sonata No.9 in A Op.47 'Kreutzer', I. Adagio sostenuto ; Presto ; Adagio
2. Violin Sonata No.9 in A Op.47 'Kreutzer', II. Andante con variazioni
3. Violin Sonata No.9 in A Op.47 'Kreutzer', III. Finale, Presto
4. Violin Sonata No.5 in F Op.24 'Spring', I. Allegro
5. Violin Sonata No.5 in F Op.24 'Spring', II. Adagio molto espressivo
6. Violin Sonata No.5 in F Op.24 'Spring', III. Scherzo & Trio, Allegro molto
7. Violin Sonata No.5 in F Op.24 'Spring', IV. Rondo, Allegro ma non troppo

1. Violin Sonata No.7 in C minor Op.30 No.2: I. Allegro con brio
2. Violin Sonata No.7 in C minor Op.30 No.2: II. Adagio cantabile
3. Violin Sonata No.7 in C minor Op.30 No.2: III. Scherzo: Allegro
4. Violin Sonata No.7 in C minor Op.30 No.2: IV. Finale: Allegro
5. Violin Sonata No.10 in G Op.96: I. Allegro moderato
6. Violin Sonata No.10 in G Op.96: II. Adagio espressivo
7. Violin Sonata No.10 in G Op.96: III. Scherzo: Allegro
8. Violin Sonata No.10 in G Op.96: IV. Poco allegretto

Reviews:
Amazon.com editorial review ("essential recording")
There are two really famous Beethoven violin sonatas, the Kreutzer and the Spring. The Kreutzer Sonata inspired the story by Leo Tolstoy, which in turn became the subject of Janácek's First String Quartet, so if you're into comparative studies in the arts, there's a thesis topic for you! The Spring Sonata was featured in Woody Allen's Love and Death, among other places. And perhaps most intriguingly of all, the scherzo of the late sonata, Op. 96, turns up quite clearly in the third movement of Mahler's Second Symphony. So you may already know more about this splendid music than you think. Why not take the plunge with these superb performances and get to know the sonatas at first hand? Just as there are two truly famous Mozart sonatas, there are also two sides to Itzhak Perlman's musical career--the flashy virtuoso and the considerate partner. Chamber-music recordings such as this feature Perlman in this second role, one that gets less attention than his other, more sensational, persona, but which for many listeners is even more musically rewarding. Ashkenazy, no mere accompanist, is very much involved in the proceedings, and the two musicians combine to produce one of the finest sets of Beethoven violin sonatas available as well as one of Perlman's very greatest recordings in any genre.

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