[.ca] Piano Music Vol. 1

From Amazon.com:
Eteri Andjaparidze, a pianist from Georgia now living in the United States, starts off this disc by showing what she can do. The Toccata was written to frighten pianists and audiences, but only the listeners will be afraid of the terrifying speed and power of this performance. The remainder of the disc stresses Prokofiev's lyrical side, which the pianist expresses with deep sympathy. In fact, even the Sarcasms, which are not very lyrical in conception, sound a little too pretty here. But that Toccata is a killer, and this generous disc (79:30) comes at a super-bargain price. --Leslie Gerber

Yet Another Very Well Rounded CD from NAXOS:
So.....this is why I like Prokofiev so much. This NAXOS issued collection of relatively early Prokofiev is a winner on both the performances and the selections alone. It's not very easy to find these largely negelected works all in one CD. The first thing you might notice about this CD is its sound quality. It's not bad but to be fair, it has the sound as if it where recorded in a high school shower room. But the passionate playing nearly defeats this small yet noticeable handicap. While most Prokofiev enthusiasts have probably heard "Ten Small Pieces" and the "Visions Fugitives," few have had the chance to hear his "Toccata" and "Four Pieces." It's typical of a music critic to simply shrug off such adolescent adventures but with Prokofiev, even his most juvenile composition where, at the very least, amusing. And the selection offered to us are certainly set for our amusement, enchantment, .....veneration. The "Ten Small Pieces" is a wonder. It's very uplifting to see someone seem to have so much fun with the musical language. And that's what Prokofiev never lost: his exultant, youthfull voice. This voice can be found all throuout this disc; the "Sarcasms" being one of the few classical pieces that can make me laugh out loud. The pianist, Eteri Andjaparidze, is a very accomplished player who's take on Prokofiev is slightly different than most. Her style is very unpredictable, to say the least. It's hard to believe that one would agree with her interpretations 100%, but it's enough to evoke the right ammount of playfulness when she isn't taking some of Prokofiev's pieces too seriously. Those looking for a less literal take on Prokofiev should look to Boris Berman's numerous recordings of Pokofiev. At nearly 80 minutes, this CD is one of NAXOS' best bargains. Not only a showcase for the lesser known Prokofiev, but one for the highly talented Andjaparidze as well.

Prokofiev piano music vol.1 - review by David Dobson:
When I first got this CD, I didn't know what to expect, because I hadn't heard much Prokofiev piano music yet. I knew of the brilliant toccata and that piece was my reason for buying the CD. I enjoyed the whole CD, the pieces were played very well and in particular, I enjoyed the toccata, and the 10 short piano pieces. I advise anybody who enjoys listening to piano music to buy this CD. The toccata is a brilliant virtuoso piece that will impress anybody who listens to it. The 10 short pieces are full of different moods and delightful melodies - my favourites are numbers: 1,2,5,7,8 and 10. The sarcasms are also good to listen to. The Visions Fugitives are rather calm and do not seem very lively, (more for the person who enjoys quiet piano music). The Four Pieces Op.4 represent different emotions and are quite self explanitary. As with most Naxos discs, this is goods quality music for a low price. The pieces are performed excellently by Eteri Andjaparidze.

Prokofiev is the greatest:
This CD is fantastic because there is so much piano music crammed on to one disc. Definitlely for the Prokofiev fan! Though it should be noted that it is not the sort of music which can be liked from the first listening. It is the sort of music you have to listen to over and over untill you get the tunes in your head. And it is worth doing this. The music presents a range of contrasting moods. The 'visions fugitives' would have to be one of the great lyrical opus written for piano. The tocatta is breathtaking. Although the CD is not the greatest quality, as is expected from the cheeper CD labels, it is truely great value.

Great technique, OK interpretations:
This CD collects the major piano pieces of Prokofiev's early period. The single most famous piece on the disc is probably the famous Toccata, in which Prokofiev is beginning to show mastery of a new musical language. A brilliant (but very taxing) piece, it starts off with a simple repeated note theme and expands to huge and savage proportions. The performance here is quite good, with the very close and dry sound being the only annoyance. The next work is a collection of 10 moderate length pieces, most of them light in mood. The standouts for me here are the famous "Harp" prelude (no. 7) and the Scherzo (no. 10), which is actually said to be harder than the Toccata. It is the most difficult (and in my opinion, the best) of the pieces. Most of the time it sounds like it was written for three or four hands, and the pianist delivers an amazingly flawless and musically accurate performance. The Sarcasms are quite interesting and innovative pieces, and they accomplish their goal, if, in the end, not being as deep as some of Prokofiev's other music. Performances are quite good. The performances of the Fugitive Visions are the main reason I don't give this disc five stars. While it's true that they are often lyrical in mood, the pianist seems to think they must be played very quietly and with no dynamic variation whatsoever. Having played some of them myself, I know they deserve much better performances than this. The playing is either so bland or so mechanical (in the faster pieces) that it fails to capture any of the drama. The last four pieces are the earliest on the disc, and the last, "Temptation", (or as it's more commonly known, "Diabolical Suggestion") is a true example of Prokofiev's genius and a thrilling way to round out the disc. Overall, because of the price, I would still recommend this CD, but if you're specifically looking for the Fugitive Visions, there are surely much better recordings.

Bring out piano Music Volume 2!:
This CD provides an excellent sample of what Russian composer Sergey Prokofiev (1891-1953) has to offer in the field of piano composition. I highly recommend it because it contains a diverse variety of music, ranging from poetic and lyrical, to ferocious and diabolic. The CD also features 79'30'' of well-performed music at a bargain price. Prokofiev's music has immense appeal. If you are unfamiliar with the genre which his music fits into, I would describe it as twentieth century contemporary classical. It is almost neo-classical. The solo piano works on this CD represent Prokofiev at his adolescent period. However, these compositions are interesting and intellectual as opposed to immature. Interestingly, most of the pieces featured on this CD were written during World War One and the political oppressions and scepticisms of the period are reflected in the music. Personally, the music on this CD has particular appeal because of its inspiring nature. I admire Prokofiev's rebellious nature and his ability to break away from conventional ideals through his creativity. Prokofiev's ingenuity is inspiring with his music covering such a vast range of emotions. While I enjoy listening to the whole CD, my personal favourite tracks are the twenty Visions Fugitives, which are great mood and lyric pieces, and the berserk Temptation from Opus Four. The toccata has to be heard to be believed. Everything that the previous two reviewers mentioned, I would agree with. If you enjoy this CD you should also buy recordings of Prokofiev's piano sonatas (particularly No. 7).

• Toccata, Op. 11: Allegro marcato
• Ten Small Pieces, Op. 12: I. Marche: Allegro
• Ten Small Pieces, Op. 12: II. Gavotte: Allegretto
• Ten Small Pieces, Op. 12: III. Rigaudon: Vivace
• Ten Small Pieces, Op. 12: IV. Mazurka: Capriccioso
• Ten Small Pieces, Op. 12: V. Caprice: Allegretto capricciosamente
• Ten Small Pieces, Op. 12: VI. Legende: Andantino
• Ten Small Pieces, Op. 12: VII. Prélude: Vivo e delicato (Harp)
• Ten Small Pieces, Op. 12: VIII. Allemande: Allegro risoluto
• Ten Small Pieces, Op. 12: IX. Scherzo Humoristique: Allegro
• Ten Small Pieces, Op. 12: X. Scherzo: Vivacissimo
• Sarcasms, Op. 17: I. Tempestoso
• Sarcasms, Op. 17: II. Allegro rubato
• Sarcasms, Op. 17: III. Allegro precipitato
• Sarcasms, Op. 17: IV. Smanioso
• Sarcasms, Op. 17: V. Precipitosissimo
• Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: I. Lentamente
• Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: II. Andante
• Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: III. Allegretto
• Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: IV. Animato
• Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: V. Molto giocoso
• Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: VI. Con eleganza
• Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: VII. Pittoresco (Arpa)
• Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: VIII. Commodo
• Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: IX. Allegretto tranquillo
• Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: X. Ridicolosamente
• Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: XI. Con vivacità
• Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: XII. Assai moderato
• Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: XIII. Allegretto
• Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: XIV. Feroce
• Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: XV. Inquieto
• Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: XVI. Dolente
• Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: XVII. Poetico
• Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: XVIII. Con una dolce lentezza
• Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: XIX. Presto agitatissimo e molto accentuato
• Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: XX. Lento irrealmente
• Four Pieces, Op. 4: I. Reminiscences: Tranquillo
• Four Pieces, Op. 4: II. Ardour: Molto allegro
• Four Pieces, Op. 4: III. Despair: Andanta con agitazione e dolore
• Four Pieces, Op. 4: IV. Temptation: Prestissimo fantastico