Search - Khachaturian, Beethoven, Kapell :: Piano Concertos

Sounding Better Than Ever

Hegelian | Concord, MA USA | 03/04/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The entre on this disc is Kapell's classic performance of the Khachaturian Piano Concerto. Fans of this great performance will want to know: does the Dutton remastering justify my buying this new version? The answer is yes. It sounds noticeably better than earlier CD incarnations. The Beethoven is good as well, though I wish that somebody would release the Khachaturian concerto with the "encore" couplings on the old RCA "Unforgettable William Kapell" album. If you've never heard Kapell play the Khachaturian, or if you've never heard this concerto (by turns dazzling, brutal, romantic and redolent of Oriental sensousness) buy this disc."

The Legendary William Kapell Returns

Hegelian | 12/14/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"William Kappell--a great hero of American pianists--died tragically, in a plane crash, at a young age. Until recently only a few could hear his playing--those who had very old and coveted records. This new CD brings together some of his truly great work. A signature piece, the Khachaturian Piano Concerto, with the Shostakovitch Preludes and some Beethoven. All are remarkable for their passion and energy. Given the age of these recordings the sound quality is good. This is a rare opportunity to hear a great pianist."