Emil Gilels' personal selection of favorite lyric pieces is one of his most praised and best recordings. The pianist obviously selected the pieces with which he felt the strongest identification, and he plays them lovingly... more », with sprightly rhythms and a rich, singing tone. Gilels was the one who identified himself as second to Sviatoslav Richter--"If you think I'm something, wait until you hear Richter," he supposedly said. But this collection is just as beautiful in its way as Richter's lyric collections. Along with some of his Chopin playing, this Grieg set reminds us that Gilels was a major Romantic pianist. --Leslie Gerber« less
Emil Gilels' personal selection of favorite lyric pieces is one of his most praised and best recordings. The pianist obviously selected the pieces with which he felt the strongest identification, and he plays them lovingly, with sprightly rhythms and a rich, singing tone. Gilels was the one who identified himself as second to Sviatoslav Richter--"If you think I'm something, wait until you hear Richter," he supposedly said. But this collection is just as beautiful in its way as Richter's lyric collections. Along with some of his Chopin playing, this Grieg set reminds us that Gilels was a major Romantic pianist. --Leslie Gerber
"Edvard Grieg's lyric pieces easily ranks in my top 5 or 10 collections of piano works. Moreover, I've listened to this particular recording by Gilels at least 50-100 times and seem to always find something new in each listening. In some sense this recording is a hidden treasure, in that whenever a piano composition finds its way into the mainstream, via movies, commercials, etc., one will often hear Bach, Beethoven, or Chopin (especially Chopin!), but rarely anything from this wonderful collection of pieces. All the better, since one does not need to lose the extra mental baggage that comes with the often unfortunate commercialized associations.For me what makes this recording very special is the sensitivity and patience Gilels brings to each note of each piece. He has the rare ability to play soft, yet maintain the lyrical quality of each piece. It should be noted that Leif Ove Andsnes has recently recorded for Angel Classics (57296) a collection of Grieg's lyric pieces which overlaps with this recording by about 10 pieces. This recording is also highly recommended, in that their styles are different enough to make them both independently interesting to listen to."
Musicianship defined
J. Anderson | Monterey, CA USA | 04/16/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The surpassing piano art of Emil Gilels keeps these Grieg miniatures free of sentimentality. Relying on lustrous tone, humor and breathtaking musical intelligence, Gilels sets an imcomparable standard wisely highlighted by chronological programming of his choices. The quizzical beauty of small music requires urgent musicianship of both composer and performer, something that defines this CD. I play it every chance I get. Gilels' playing is one of the wonders of the world; I'll always wish he'd recorded more repertory than he did. Thankfully we have this, his Mozart and especially his Ravel. Hard to be disappointed with a CD this fine.
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Love at first listening
Konstantinos | 08/13/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I heard this recording on LP about a decade ago and I had a crash on this recording. Before I heard this recording, I did not have a very good impression on Gilels. Only other recording of him I heard till then was a brittle-sounding Beethoven's "appasionata" sonata, recorded in Russia back in the 1950s. In that, he sounded as if he was trying to "outbang" Horowitz, so when I found this recording, I was more interested in the pieces than their performer. But when I put the needle on the LP, I was absolutely shocked. "My God", I thought, "is this the same Gilels???" In these pieces, Gilels became a poet of piano, a gorgeous minituarist. Since then, I listened to this recording countless times, bought a CD transfer, and managed to even learn some of the pieces myself. This CD is really a jewel. Gilels is at his best. Never I heard him play with such an intimacy of feeling and conviction. This is an absolute "must" for anyone who loves romantic piano music."
Lyric music
Konstantinos | Corfu, Greece | 08/18/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When Gilels went to record this selection from the Lyric pieces the work was thought more or less music for children. After, however, listening to the way that Gilels plays this music you become aware that this music has much more to give you. Somehow it makes you aware of the beauty that is all around you. Everything looks so beautiful when you listen to these pieces. This CD makes you fall in love with life again and again. Do I need to say more?"
Thoughtful performances, muddy sound
R. Lane | Tracy, CA USA | 03/13/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Gilels selection of some of the best of Grieg's Lyric pieces are very thoughtful and profound readings. Each piece transports you to some delightful scene, and you really feel yourself there with these renditions.
Too bad Gilels never went on to record a more complete collection.
There is no *definitive* complete collection of all of the Grieg Lyric Pieces on CD. The only complete sets I am aware of are the Daniel Adni set from EMI and the Eva Knardahl recordings that are part the complete Grieg piano works on BIS. Neither of those sets give anywhere near the pleasure that one gets from Gilels' magical readings.
If only BMG would get around to issuing the Liv Glaser set on CD. Then, at least we would have something decent for a complete collection, even if she is still quite distant from the superlative quality of Gilels."
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1
