Search - Alexander Shtarkman :: Piano Recital

Alexander Shtarkman apparently made his recorded debut with this disc. It's impressive. If I were looking for young pianists to play on a concert series, I would hire Shtarkman immediately. But that doesn't necessarily mean the disc is a compelling purchase. The Brahms Ballades are played with great drama; the tension is palpable, and the music really comes to life. In the Liszt pieces, though, Shtarkman is competing with pianists like Gyorgy Cziffra and Simon Barere. These performances would excite an audience, but they aren't the greatest we've heard and that really counts on a recording. The relatively short timing (52:33) also helps reduces the disc's competitiveness in a crowded market. --Leslie Gerber