[.ca] Lyric Pieces/Son/7 Fugues

Splendid Grieg from Mikhail Pletnev:
Mikhail Pletnev is unquestionably one of our finest pianists. His splendid playing is not only replete with much drama and pathos, but also has a strong intellectual streak that is as vivid as Brendel's. This splendid recording of Grieg's piano sonata along with some of the most famous Lyric Pieces demonstrates that he is as convincing an interpreter of Grieg as he is of Chopin, Rachmaninoff or Haydn. Along with Leif Ove Andsnes' recent recording of Grieg's Lyric Pieces, Pletnev's splendid account is as brilliant as the classic Deutsche Grammophon recording by Emil Gilels. Indeed, in some of Pletnev's performances, most notably the Wedding Day at Troldhaugen, I doubt I have heard the Lyric Pieces played better with such warmth and vividness approaching Impressionism. Pletnev's exceptional performance of the Piano Sonata may be the finest I have heard. Without question this fine CD is among Deutsche Grammophon's best recent recordings of works for the solo piano.

Judge for yourself!:
Please ignore the editorial review of this album. I just heard it on the radio and am rushing to buy it. I've heard a number of recordings of most of these pieces, and have never heard them more beautifully played. Grieg can sound really rinky-dink or absolutely profound and moving; this playing is the latter. And the piano that he's playing on has one of the loveliest tones for this kind of music that I've heard.

Exquisite:
I can imagine being there again, in Norway, contemplating the magnificent fjords in majestic silence, listening to the pure waterfalls. There are so many sounds, many images, many moods that other pianists were incapable of capturing. Pletnev makes you dream and feel, he tells you simple stories of life, and you listen, fascinated, wondering how such simple things could be so complex. There's a grace, a refinement, a harmony, a sensibility never heard before from Grieg. It's melancholy. It's joy. Iridescent beauty...

• Piano Sonata In E Minor op.7: Allegro moderato
• Piano Sonata In E Minor op.7: Andante molto
• Piano Sonata In E Minor op.7: Alla Menuetto, ma poco piu lento
• Piano Sonata In E Minor op.7: Finale. molto allegro
• 7 Fugues For Piano Eg 184a-g: Fuga A 2 In C Minor. Allegro
• 7 Fugues For Piano Eg 184a-g: (Fuga A 2) In C Major
• 7 Fugues For Piano Eg 184a-g: Fuga A 3 In D Major. Andante non troppo
• 7 Fugues For Piano Eg 184a-g: Fuga A 3 In A Minor. Allegro
• 7 Fugues For Piano Eg 184a-g: Fuga A 4 In G Minor. Allegro non troppo
• 7 Fugues For Piano Eg 184a-g: Fuga A 3 voci In C Major. Allegro energico
• 7 Fugues For Piano Eg 184a-g: Fuga duplex (Double Fugue) In G Minor
• Lyric Pieces - Op,54 No.6: Bellringing - Andante
• Lyric Pieces - Op.38 No.1: Berceuse - Allegretto tranquillo
• Lyric Pieces - Op.43.1: Butterfly - Allegretto grazioso
• Lyric Pieces - Op.47 No.3: Melody - Allegretto
• Lyric Pieces - Op.43 No.6: To Spring - Allegro apassionato
• Lyric Pieces - Op.65. No. 6: Wedding Day At Troldhaugen - Tempo di marcia un poco vivace
• Lyric Pieces - Op.65 No.5: In Ballad Vein - Lento lugubre
• Lyric Pieces - Op.62 No.4: Brooklet - Allegro leggiero
• Lyric Pieces - Op.54 No.5: Scherzo - Prestissimo leggiero
• Lyric Pieces - Op.57 No.1: Vanished Days - Andantino
• Lyric Pieces - Op.68 No.2: Grandmother's Minuet - Allegretto grazioso e leggierissimo
• Lyric Pieces - Op.54 No.3: March Of The Trolls - Allegro maderato
• Lyric Pieces - Op.19 No.3: Carnival Scene - Allegro alla burla