Andrei Gavrilov Bach Handel - Andrei Gavrilov Great Pianists of the 20th Century (62 tracks) +Album Reviews

Richter's great pupil

D. Levitsky | United Kingdom | 08/03/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Andrei Gavrilov is evidently one of the few pianists whom actually makes some attempt to play things induvidually, and actually knows what he is doing. When one hears recordings by Richter one hears also how Gavrilov has inherited these skills, particularly in tone, from ppp to fff. His Bach is wonderful, although he doesn't use a great deal of pedal, and his rendition of Islamey is justifiably famous although the piano sounds rather "clunky". There is always a feeling of depth with the works he plays, the Scriabin sonata is one of the best versions I've heard and his Prokofiev 1st Concerto is probably THE most remarkable, he understands wholely Prokofiev's anti-romantic manner, but never overexaggeratating. I would wholely recommend this recording for listeners whom want to hear a contemporary "Great Pianist" whom actually has indivudiality and style."

One of the best in the set

Daniel Karlsson | Sweden | 01/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"'Gavrilov' is my favorite volume in the Great Pianists series, and one of the best volumes among the modern pianists together with 'Sofronitsky' and 'Bolet I'. The Prokofiev concerto is fantastic and the Islamey amazing. The mix of works is very good; there is a wide range of repertoire unlike many other sets in the series which consist barely of Chopin.

Definitely must-have."

I like Gavrilov

Daniel Karlsson | 01/09/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I like Gavrilov since I heard him played Rachmaninov's stuffs on the EMI red label some years ago. Still today, I like Gavrilov very much for his style, touching and depth. I have many other Gavrilov CDs and this is another great CD showcasing the music spectrum of Gavrilov's music. I fully recommend this one."

Get ready to be amazed...

John Grabowski | USA | 02/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"His style may not be for everyone, and sometimes the fingers move fast while the interpretations aren't as deep, but unless you're a pedantic stewed prune, it's hard to deny the sheer thrill of Andrei Gavrilov. He evokes colors like Horowitz, plays with the technical command of Pletnev and the fire of Richter, and still has a very unique, identifiable voice. Maybe he's Pogorelich with a prettier tone(?).

Some of the pieces on here aren't heard often enough in the concert hall, such as the Tchaikovsky Theme and Variations Op. 19 or the Scriabin Etude, which has to be heard here to be believed. Ditto the Balakirev Islamey. Others are warhorses or near-warhorses, such as the Prokofiev 1st Concerto and the Brahms Second Ballade, but in each case Gavrilov gives them a fresh spin, and his way with the Prokofiev is really fiery and special--this may be my favorite recording now, and I'd love to hear him do the Second Concerto, or , heck, think big--all the concertos! The piano transcription of the Romeo and Juliet music captures the grandeur and sweep of the orchestral version. Never do we feel "cheated" because we are listening to a piano reduction. And the pedal work! He gives the illusion of an orchestra of strings holding low, long notes. I can hear all the colors of the original, and that is simply amazing.

The Mozart K.397 is extraordinary, haunting, a performance so perfect that no other will now do for me, even if it is romanticized. Listen to this and tell me that the "Romantic" movement began with Beethoven (not that I thought it did even before this, but people have a habit of spouting such categorical nonsense.)

These two CDs together make up two thrilling recitals of diverse pieces. Each is a very satisfying concert in itself, complete with a thrilling encore.

The sound throughout is excellent. This may be out of print (shelf lives keep getting shorter and shorter; it wasn't all that long ago that I bought it) but it's worth looking for used. Put it on when you want to be dazzled. A lot of people talk about Volodos as Horowitz's heir, but I'll take this guy any day. And if you think Argerich is tops for intensity and power, he can equal her plus he has more color and more line and more subtle dynamics. Not to be missed."

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