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9 of 9 found the following review helpful:
Graffman on Tchaikovsky, Balakirev, and Mussourgsky Oct 03, 2006
All of the other reviewers below have said all that can be said about this 2 CD set of Graffman's performace of all three Tchaikovsky piano concertos. Superb performances of all three. The second and third concertos have always been lesser known among concert-going audiences; the singing melody of the opening of the first concerto and the "war horse" status is has achieved has cast a long shadow over the second and third concertos (akin to the situation we find between the Rachmaninoff second and third concertos). Nonetheless, the second concerto is equally good but quite different. The third movement of the second is simply fantastic music, and Graffman really plays it extraordinarily well and riveting (listen to those octaves!). Graffman does not really have the reputation of being a "super virtuoso" (or does he? I might be wrong). But upon a listening of his performance of Balakirev's Islamey, one sits back in the chair and gasps, "I had no idea!" This is one of the most even and over all best performances of Islamey I've ever heard (yes, Barere's might be faster, but Graffman's is better; and if you want tempo in your Islamey, Graffman's is right up there; it is not as slow or dragging as other recordings). Graffman is really a solid, tasetful, and great pianist. One wishes that he had recorded more of the Romantic solo piano repertoire. These recordings of the Tchaikovsky concertos are some of the best. Barry Douglas' performance of the first is a bit more riveting than Graffman, but Graffman's version seems to possess a quality that is lacking in all other versions of this concerto. Highly recommended.
11 of 11 found the following review helpful:
Proves there is more to Tchaikovsky than sentimentality! Jun 15, 2006
This remains one of my favourite two recordings of Tchaikovsky's 1st concerto because Graffman unearths more depth and seriousness than any pianist I have so far heard. His interpretation is not as red-hot as Horowitz's (still the benchmark or reference by which any other must be measured), but so utterly free from superficiality and at the same time the artificiality of others who have tried as hard to prove there is more than sentimentality, heroism and Russian gloom to this warhorse.
Surprisingly, if there is any weekness to the performance as a whole, it would be Szell's no more than solid, less than enthusiastic accompaniment. Being a Szell and Cleveland fan (who is not?), I just know he could have done better (as Kondrashin did for Van Cliburn). No big matter, though.
This latest remastering is certainly the most successful I have heard (and this is one of those recordings I buy again every time a sonically improved version becomes available), in fact, I could hardly believe how much more full-bodied yet natural it sounds compared to Sony's earlier release.
Having said all this, I feel it does improve one's view of the composition if you own and listen to alternative recordings, and I strongly believe that doing so is the only way to keep the most famous classical warhorses from wearing off. Favourite alternative versions include Horowitz/Toscanini, Cliburn/Kondrashin, Janis/Menges, Richter/Karajan, all inspired and positively different from each other (and all but Horowitz in very good to fine stereo).
As to the interpretations of Tchaikovsky's 2nd and 3rd concerti with Ormandy, I must admit I only know a handful of alternatives, but I promise if you own these recordings, you will not need any. Most inspired collaborations of soloist and orchestra that will make you listen to these lesser-known concerti much more often than you might think.
Graffman's Pictures are a bit uneven - attractive in places, though on the whole no competition to Janis, Horowitz and Richter. Graffman's Islamey, on the other hand, is awesome, and is recorded in so much better sounding stereo than Arrau's historic 1928 recording.
In a nutshell: a set to cherish!
Greetings from Switzerland, David.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Legendary golden performances! Dec 30, 2005
At last! after a long waiting, the Sonny label has released this treasured album. The First piano Concerto is elegant and thundering with a persuasive and mercurial approach. One of my Five superior choices of this well known piece.
The Second Piano Concerto simply is insuperable. I do not know about another performance that can steal its primacy. It possesses Oriental Fantasy, Caucasian passion, and febrile Balkan intensity. Graffman was truly enraptured and inspired as Ormandy did. This team made the most incandescent and Imperial performances of these two Piano Concertos Two and Three played with minor frequency than the First one.
Finally these Pictures are authentically sparkling and superbly performed. In what Islamey concerns, two serious rivals: Simon Barere and Julius Katchen marked an abysmal distance respect the other players, and this version might be the Third choice.
Voilá for this release.
22 of 22 found the following review helpful:
Best Ever Tchaikovsky Concerti Oct 08, 2005
I've been waiting over 20 years for these recordings to make it to CD. The long wait is finally over, and I can again revel in the finest readings these works have ever received. The piano playing is simply astonishing. The orchestral playing and conducting totally sympathetic. From Ormandy (2 & 3) that's no surprise, but anyone who thinks of the late George Szell as a cold, calculating conductor is in for a shock: this first piano concerto is thrilling and as romantic as they come. If you are looking for a set of Tchaikovsky piano concertos, stop and look no further. There have been many recordings since these came out in LP, but none have been as great. (One cautionary note: the second movement of the 2nd concerto uses the Siloti edition, but I'll over look that.) I can still remember the critical quote on the original LP: "Stunning, pure gold!" It still it.
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