Search - Sergey Prokofiev, Freddy Kempf :: Freddy Kempf plays Prokofiev

WOW!

Robert L. Berkowitz | Natick, MA United States | 06/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I came to this disc just a bit reluctantly after having been somewhat disappointed by Mr. Kempf's performance of the Chopin's Ballades (I reviewed that recording elsewhere on this website). I was curious, if a bit wary, to hear what he did with some of my favorite Prokofiev works -- the Toccata and the Sixth and Seventh Sonatas.



Freddy Kempf has technique to spare in these works. His performance of the Toccata is particularly noteworthy. Mr. Kempf manages to communicate a different musical vision of the work than is commonly heard. Typically, in most performances, the Toccata evokes images of an industrialized Russia belching out black smoke from colorless smoke stacks. In Kempf's hands, the Toccata swoons and dances. It might not be Prokofiev's original idea, but it works, and other performances come off sounding one-dimensional in comparison.



I don't know that Mr. Kempf plumbs the emotional depths available in either or both the Sixth and Seventh Sonatas, but these are competent and often thrilling performances. I still prefer Cliburn for the Sixth (I think that might make me a little unusual) and Richter's account, but Mr. Kempf's Seventh Sonata competes admirably with many other fine performances (Ashkenazy and Barbara Nissman come to mind)



In this recording, he also gives a compelling performance of the unjustly neglected 1st Sonata and the first of four Prokofiev Etudes.



I can now see why Mr. Kempf was regarded by Daniel Pollack just a few years ago as the most exciting young pianist on the musical scene. This disc supports Maestro Pollack's claim. I recommend it highly."