Search - Claude Debussy, Robert Schumann, Maurice Ravel :: Sergio Fiorentino: Piano Recitals, 1962-1987

For Fior fans, a must, though not entirely up to Fior's elev

Ryan Morris | Chicago, IL | 12/08/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The gaspard is the gem here, worth the high price of admission even. In fact, surprisingly, everything is good here, except the Schumann. And this is from the performer of "the" performance(s) of op 17. The Kreisleriana is weak fingered, there is no other way about it, which is odd because it was recorded during the same performance as the ravel, which is at times miraculous. I have kept thinking maybe this time i'll hear it, giving such a great pianist as Fior the benefit of the doubt, but, everyone has their off days, and even though, i am still glad to have heard this music by one of our generations greatests hands and minds.

It is unfortunate there is not more ravel in fiorentino's discography, from this disc, which inlcudes gaspard, the comp valse sent, prelude, menuet, and a la maniere borodine, they are all top notch performances. The Debussy is also good, the relflects dans l'eau is good by any standards, but for those who really have studied fior's past recordings or have seen him live, it is not quite what you would expect. The estampes are good also. Below is the comp track listing:

disc 1

Estampes 1-3

D'un cahier d'esquisses 4

Masques 5

L'Isle Joyeuse 6

Images 7-12

disc 2

kreis 1-8

menuet 9

prelude 10

maniere borodine 11

valse sent 12-19

gaspard 20-22"