Search - Sergey Rachmaninov, Nicholas Angelich :: Nicholas Angelich plays Rachmaninov

Rakhmaninov in the Classical Style

Peter Charleton | Dublin 6, Ireland. | 07/12/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Since this pianist was born in the USA,according to the short biography with this CD,it is suprising that a major company there has not taken him on.The series of Nouveaux Interpretes has hunted out on the continent of Europe a series of astonishing talents.Together they prove that the great age of performers is not vanished;instead a new golden age may be dawning.Angelich plays what some people regard as the pinacle of romantic music with stylistic purity after the manner of the best Mozart and Bach players and with respect for the music.Conctantly you ask yourself why,unlike some pianists,he does not produce a particular theme as a climactic utterance.Because of the beauty of the material it is hard to know how and why he resists the obvious temptation to project the romantic emotions that suffuses this music.He always provides the answer in a revelation, by that holding back, of the inner structure of the music and in identifying the true center of the piece.Thereby the sum of the parts is increased immesurably.When it is truly demanded he has no difficulty unleashing huge waves of sound and a limitless virtuosity in the service of his idea of the music.Of course there was another pianist who used to play this music in accordance with traditional ideals of classical restraint and old fashioned structural analysis.His first name was Sergei."

Variety is the spice. . .

Chris Lewis | Houston, Texas United States | 12/08/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Of the numerous complete recordings of the amazing Etude-Tableaux (Op.33 and 39), there are two that stand out: this one, and the interpretation by Ian Hobson. After years of thinking that the Askenazy interpretation was the definitive one (and for years, I guess it was, as it was one of the few available on CD), I discovered these two. The clarity of the exposition of the sweeping melodies and multiple "voices" within each piece is a revelation. Whether because of the recording techniques, the venue, the piano selected, or microphone placement, the sound appears perfectly balanced, with just the right amount of spatial "presence" and tonal depth, with an apparant absence of either muddying background or dry over-damping. Where Mr. Hobson's interpretation is prehaps more thoughtful and deliberate, Mr. Angelich's interpretation is more powerful and passionate, and let's face it: the music of S. Rachmaninoff is nothing if not passionate!"

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Chris Lewis | 07/06/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...I really believe you need a shrink or a hearing device! This complete set of Rachmaninov's Etudes Tableaux is a marvel! I've been a big fan of Nicholas Angelich for quite a while, now, and return to this recording continuously. Angelich's pianism, sense of line, phrase, unique appoach to pedaling and artistry (not to mention the amazing colors he's able to produce) make him one of the greatest interpreters of Rachmaninov's works (his Rach 3 is as spectacular, BTW). This a top-notch performance!..."