Cliburn Competition medallist Olga Kern plays Rachmaninov as if he wrote this music just for her. She's a virtuoso in the grand tradition, playing with a huge tone and brilliant fingerwork, captured with life-like realism ... more »by the engineers. The big work here is the Corelli Variations, a fiendishly difficult set of twenty variations on a Baroque sarabande, La Folia. The composer wrote it to wow his audiences, but it's also serious, full of with dark-toned poetry, serene lyricism, and a huge climax that ends in a poignant coda. Kern plays it with tremendous power and fleet agility. The rest of the disc consists of Rachmaninov's transcriptions of his own and other composers? music, ranging from romanticized Bach to an opulent rewrite of Schubert's Wohin? to his elaborate cadenza for Liszt?s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2. Kern plays the Liszt with plenty of dash, evoking its gypsy flavor and exploiting its opportunities for virtuosity. Here's one competition winner who seems destined for stardom. -- Dan Davis« less
Cliburn Competition medallist Olga Kern plays Rachmaninov as if he wrote this music just for her. She's a virtuoso in the grand tradition, playing with a huge tone and brilliant fingerwork, captured with life-like realism by the engineers. The big work here is the Corelli Variations, a fiendishly difficult set of twenty variations on a Baroque sarabande, La Folia. The composer wrote it to wow his audiences, but it's also serious, full of with dark-toned poetry, serene lyricism, and a huge climax that ends in a poignant coda. Kern plays it with tremendous power and fleet agility. The rest of the disc consists of Rachmaninov's transcriptions of his own and other composers? music, ranging from romanticized Bach to an opulent rewrite of Schubert's Wohin? to his elaborate cadenza for Liszt?s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2. Kern plays the Liszt with plenty of dash, evoking its gypsy flavor and exploiting its opportunities for virtuosity. Here's one competition winner who seems destined for stardom. -- Dan Davis
CD Reviews
An impressive show of both technique and lyricism.
Jeremy Feldblyum | Maryland, USA | 07/30/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Since I saw Olga Kern perform at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, I've always been a fan, but many times a pianist's beautiful music is not portrayed well on recorded media. Not so with Kern - her passion and playfully executed technique are bright and clear on this disc.
Kern plays with natural ease, making many difficult passages seem light and easy under her touch. The Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream is a dazzling testament to this world-class pianist. Despite the piece's incredible difficulties, Kern seems only to notice the beauty of the tones and colors she produces. Throughout the Scherzo, she plays lightly and playfully, not losing the slightest bit of momentum from beginning to end.
My personal favorites on this CD are the Scherzo, the Partita (all three movements), and Lilacs and Dasies. I've never heard anybody play them with such delicacy as Kern manages to produce. All of the transcriptions are done wonderfully.
I don't like some parts of her Hungarian Rhapsody, though she is technically perfect. Her interperetation could be considered too mellow in some places, though overall it is still done well.
The Corelli Variations are simply beautiful. All the other recordings I've heard of them pale in comparison to Kern's rendition of this little-known piece. She drifts through this whole work as if she was born to play it.
An absolute must for any classical collection. I eagerly await further recordings from this marvellous pianist."
Olga does it again!
Jeremy Feldblyum | 05/19/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is another amazing CD demonstrating the skill of Olga Kern. It is filled with flash, fire, depth, and emotion. Olga knows how to play Rachmaninoff. This is a unique CD because it contains pieces that are not often heard. Olga's unparalled style also provides a new take on some familiar pieces. I have listened to this CD a countless number of times and know I will always enjoy it."
Olga is a Pianist among Pianists
A. Cooper | Trinidad & Tobago | 11/03/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was privileged to hear Olga perform at Zankell Hall at her Carnegie Hall debut several years ago. Her performances have a very rich individual flare, exactness and confidence. I was not disappointed with her then and I was not disappointed with this cd, Corelli Variations. On this cd, Olga's performances exude something definitely masculine. Though this may not appeal to everyone, it is simply a matter of every pianist having his individual style, feel and texture, if you will. Her playing is warm and vivacious at the same time, and what she says, she says beautifully. The programme is also quite captivating, especially the Bach transcriptions. Thank you Ms Kern!"
Every note counts and you hear it!
Thinking Cap | Sunny California, USA | 03/15/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"what an interpretation - this is one of the most clear, precise renderings of the Rachmaninov -Corelli Variations that I have ever ever heard - listen in, and Olga Kern just transforms you - quietly."
Music to Treasure
Beverly A. Crandall | california | 06/20/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Olga Kern, the young Russian pianist and Van Cliburn gold medal winner (2001), offers a wide-ranging selection of Rachmaninoff transcriptions, starting with J.S. Bach's superb Suite from the Partita in E major for violin. Many of these are favorites that the public has loved for decades: Rimsky-Korsakov's Flight of the Bumblebee, Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 with a cadenza by Sergei himself; plus lyrical and demanding arrangements from Bizet, Schubert, Mendelssohn, and Tchaikovsky. For this listener, the supreme moments are Olga's performance of Rachmaninoff's Variations on a Theme of Corelli, which have been recorded by many virtuosos. It was like hearing them for the first time--fresh, dynamic and radiantly powerful! If you are tired of reading wimpy movie, book and music reviews that leave you wondering whether to bite, here's one vote: say yes!
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1