Edvard Grieg; Claude Debussy - Piano Concerto; Préludes Book I (Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli)

 

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Composer: Edvard Grieg; Claude Debussy

1. Grieg - Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.16: I. Allegro molto moderato
2. Grieg - Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.16: II. Adagio - attacca:
3. Grieg - Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.16: III. Allegro moderato molto e marcato - Quasi Presto - Andante maestoso
4. Debussy - Préludes Book I, L. 117: I. Danseuses de Delphes. Lent et grave
5. Debussy - Préludes Book I, L. 117: II. Voiles. Modéré
6. Debussy - Préludes Book I, L. 117: III. Le vent dans la plaine. Animé
7. Debussy - Préludes Book I, L. 117: IV. Les sons es les parfums tournent dans l'air du soir. Modéré
8. Debussy - Préludes Book I, L. 117: V. Les collines d'Anacapri. Très modéré
9. Debussy - Préludes Book I, L. 117: VI. Des pas sur la neige. Triste et lent
10. Debussy - Préludes Book I, L. 117: VII. Ce qu'a vu le vent d'Ouest. Animé et tumultueux
11. Debussy - Préludes Book I, L. 117: VIII. La fille aux cheveux de lin. Très calme et doucement expressif
12. Debussy - Préludes Book I, L. 117: IX. La sérénade interrompue. Modérément animé
13. Debussy - Préludes Book I, L. 117: X. La cathédrale engloutie. Profondément calme
14. Debussy - Préludes Book I, L. 117: XI. La danse de Puck. Capricieux et léger
15. Debussy - Préludes Book I, L. 117: XII. Minstrels. Modéré

Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, piano
New Philharmonia Orchestra (1-3)
Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, conductor (1-3)

Date: 1965 (1-3), 1982 (4-15)
Label: BBC Legends

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Review

Historical Gems: Michelangeli Unbuttons His Tux for Grieg

Some of the few concerts Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli didn't cancel took place in London, and were broadcast by the BBC. This 1965 Grieg Concerto briefly circulated on a Rococo LP, which sounds nowhere near as vibrant and impactive as BBC's remastering, odd balances and all. In essence you get the Apollonian stance and awe-inspiring control of Michelangeli's much-reissued 1943 Telefunken 78s, with much more fire and daring. Moreover, the wider dynamic range reinforces the Lisztian patina of Michelangeli's conception, and Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos does an amazing job keeping up with his soloist. Michelangeli's lofty, commanding way with Debussy's Book I Preludes is familiar from his 1978 DG studio recording. But I much prefer this live 1982 Royal Festival Hall taping. For one, the gorgeous engineering fully captures how the pianist's ravishing, multi-layered sound world projected in a hall. Yes, Michelangeli may tinker with Debussy's dynamic indications and strum out chords with the left hand anachronistically anticipating the right. Yet these idiosyncracies never violate the spirit of the music. A release, in sum, that no self-respecting pianophile can ignore, even if you possess other Michelangeli versions (official and otherwise) in your collection.

-- Jed Distler, ClassicsToday

More reviews:
http://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/grieg-piano-concerto-debussy-pr%C3%A9ludes
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2000/dec00/Michelangeli.htm
http://www.amazon.com/Michelangeli-Piano-Concerto-Preludes-Book/dp/B00004WJMG

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Edvard Grieg (15 June 1843, Bergen – 4 September 1907, Bergen) was a Norwegian composer and pianist. He is widely considered one of the leading Romantic era composers, and his music is part of the standard classical repertoire worldwide. His use and development of Norwegian folk music in his own compositions put the music of Norway in the international spectrum. He is the most celebrated person from the city of Bergen, with numerous statues depicting his image, and many cultural entities named after him
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edvard_Grieg

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Claude Debussy (22 August 1862 – 25 March 1918) was a French composer. Along with Maurice Ravel, he was one of the most prominent figures associated with Impressionist music. Debussy was among the most influential composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and his use of non-traditional scales and chromaticism influenced many composers who followed. Debussy's music is noted for its sensory content and frequent usage of atonality.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Debussy

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Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (5 January 1920 – 12 June 1995) was an Italian virtuoso pianist, widely considered one of the greatest pianists of the twentieth century. He was famous for his flawless technique. Owing to his perfectionism, relatively few recordings were officially released during Benedetti Michelangeli's lifetime. As a teacher, his pupils included world-class artists as Maurizio Pollini, Martha Argerich and Ivan Moravec.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arturo_Benedetti_Michelangeli

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