Clavier Companion - March/April 2013 - 64

CD & DVD
Reviews
Steven Hall, Editor

Steven Hall has a wide
range of performing
experience as an orchestral
soloist, recitalist, and chamber
musician throughout the
United States, Europe, and
Taiwan. A German reviewer
wrote, “He proved that he
need not fear comparison with the greatest in his
field.” He has released two compact discs on the ACA
label. Hall received his D.M.A. in Piano
Performance from the University of Southern
California as John Perry’s teaching assistant. He is a
founder and faculty member of the Brandeis Piano
Conservatory in Dallas, Texas. He is President of
BPC Recording Company and is the Vice-President
of the Dallas Music Teachers Association.

This issue’s contributors:
Sarkis Baltaian has gained an international
reputation as a concert pianist, chamber musician,
recording artist, and pedagogue. He is a faculty
member of the Colburn Conservatory and School of
Performing Arts.
Laura Melton is Coordinator of Keyboard Studies
at Bowling Green State University. A frequent
recitalist and clinician throughout North and South
America, Asia, and Europe, her recent CD
recordings are on the Naxos and Albany labels.
Stephen Pierce is Assistant Professor of Piano and
Piano Pedagogy at the University of Northern
Colorado. He has performed in the Czech Republic,
Canada, the U.S., and South Africa, and has
published in Clavier Companion and Music
Research Forum.
Steinway Artist Sin-Hsing Tsai is U.C.
Foundation Associate Professor of Music at The
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and has
performed in Asia, Europe, and
North and South America.

To link directly to the respective
websites of these recordings, please click
anywhere on the text of the review.

CLAVIER COMPANION

COMPOSER

DVD

Haydn Piano Sonatas,
Volume 4
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet,
piano
Chandos CHAN 10736
[Total Time 69:12]

A Martha Argerich
Celebration
Martha Argerich, piano
Euroarts 3079858
[Total Time 62:00]

Full of Haydnesque wit and charm, this newest
addition to Jean-Efflam Bavouzet’s complete Haydn
Sonatas features a unique compilation of an
authentic early sonata/divertimento, two middleperiod sonatas, and two versions of the Variations
in F Minor, Hob. XVII:6. Known for his impressive
complete Debussy recordings, Bavouzet is equally
comfortable with Haydn’s inventiveness and quick
shifts of character. His playing is ripe with the infectious sense of humor that pervades Haydn’s music,
exhibiting pristine textural clarity and sparkling
articulation, especially in the Sonata in F Major,
Hob. XVI:23. In contrast, the siciliano-style Adagio
of the same work displays gorgeous lyricism and
heartfelt expression. One highlight of the disc is the
finale of the seldom-heard Sonata in D Major,
Hob. XVI:19 (Divertimento). Haydn’s unique form of
variations within a rondo is a perfect showcase for
Bavouzet’s delightfully imaginative ornamentation.
This disc is a wonderful blend of creativity and
spontaneity. L.M.

Martha Argerich’s prodigious pianistic facility is
at the core of her musical interpretation. This 1977
DVD features Argerich performing Tchaikovsky’s
first concerto with Sir Charles Groves and the Royal
Liverpool Philharmonic, and Prokofiev’s third concerto with André Previn and the London Symphony.
Taking an intrinsically simple approach, Argerich
gives a fresh, unforced perspective to both illustrious concertos. Her tempo choices in the
Tchaikovsky are propelled to the limit, and in the
Prestissimo of the second movement her fantastic
finger articulation creates utterly surreal sounds
throughout. Witnessing her energetic approach and
dazzling technique leaves one in a somewhat
drained, yet euphoric, state. Likewise, Argerich’s
imposing sense of rhythmic drive is effectively
paired with a concept of creating multiple dimensions of sound, and results in an electrifying rendition of the Prokofiev concerto, superbly complemented by André Previn’s partnership. S.B.

COMPOSER

DVD

Liszt Wagner
Paraphrases
Asher Fisch, piano
Melba MR301141
[Total Time 67:07]

They Came to Play
Docuramafilms
NNVG233241
[Total Time 91:00]

Conductor and pianist Asher Fisch offers an
astounding performance of Liszt’s paraphrases of
Wagner’s operas and delights the listener with
three additional Wagner miniatures. Fisch delivers a
warm vocal quality to “Am stillen Herd” from Die
Meistersinger, while “Spinnerlied” from Der
fliegende Holländer exudes brilliance and elegance.
Three selections from Tannhäuser cement Fisch’s
pianism: “Pilgerchor” embodies dignity and
redemption as Fisch brings pulsating triplets to an
intense climax, and he further captures the shimmering tremolos of “O du, mein holder Abendstern”
and the multidimensional sonority of “Einzug der
Gäste auf Wartburg.” Fisch glorifies the operatic
scope of Lohengrin’s “Elsas Brautzug,” and
“Isoldens Liebestod” is a beautifully woven web of
magical sounds. The final three pieces, dedicated
to Wagner’s benefactors and friends, are performed
with simplicity and sincerity. A pianist of a thousand
colors, this one-man orchestra synthesizes
Wagner’s grandeur and Liszt’s imagination with
consummate artistry. S.H.T.

This award-winning documentary broadly chronicles the 2007 Van Cliburn International Piano
Competition for Outstanding Amateurs. The film is
more focused on the unique personalities and
backstories of the competitors and less on their
playing, but it also emphasizes the important role
that music occupies in each of their lives. Of
course, the contestants want to perform superlatively, and some of them want to win. The film thus
highlights the extraordinary power that music has
to motivate, challenge, and inspire us, no matter
our circumstances or career. We also hear from
some of the jury (which includes several wellknown Cliburn winners), who muse about what they
are looking for when adjudicating such an event.
Viewers might be disappointed by the lack of complete performances during the film, but, fortunately,
the DVD bonus material includes one complete
work performed by each of the six finalists. S.P.

MARCH/APRIL 2013

Clavier Companion - March/April 2013

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