1) Robert SCHUMANN
(1810-1856) Concerto for piano and
orchestra, in A minor, op 54: I Allegro
affetuoso[14:22] *
2-6)Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Waltzes:
for piano, Nos. 1, 2, 11, 14, 15 from
op 39 (arr. for 2 pianos] [7:07]
7) Sergei RACHMANINOV
(1873-1943) Suite for 2 pianos,
No 2, op 17: III Romance "Andantino"
[7:13]
8)Manuel de
FALLA (1876-1946) Nights
in the Gardens of Spain: For piano and
orchestra: I En el Generalife [10:58]
*
9-11) Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Sonata for 2 pianos, in D Major K488
[25:15]
12) Maurice
RAVEL (1875-1937) La Valse:
for orchestra [transcribed for 2 pianos]
[11:49]
Martha Argerich, piano; Chamber Orchestra
of Europe, Nikolaus Harnoncourt (1)
/ Alexandre Rabinovich, piano I (2-6;
9-11) / piano II (7,12) / Paris Orchestra,
Daniel
Barenboim (8) Live Recordings *
Recording Locations: Salle Pleyel, Paris
, 7 February 1986 (8); Stefaniensaal,
Graz, July 1992 (1); Teldec Studios,
Berlin, September 1991 (7); November
1992 and December 1993 (9-11); April
1993 (2-6); March 1995 (12)
This CD is as much
a "portrait" of the accompanying artists
as of Ms. Argerich. It may very well
be that Warner Classics don’t have very
much solo repertoire of the artist to
choose from; in which case, they should
probably have demurred in the enterprise.
The first six tracks
(the Schumann concerto movement and
the Brahms waltzes) place the artist
and Mr. Rabinovich in direct competition
with two of the finest artists
of the 20th century, namely Dinu Lipatti
and Nadia Boulanger. The legendary "live"
performance by Lipatti and the Suisse
Romande Orchestra with Ernest Ansermet
of the Schumann, made just months
before his tragic early death, has for
me always been difficult to top; as
have the recordings of the Brahms
waltzes, made earlier in his career
with Ms. Boulanger. These efforts
come as close as any others I have encountered.
The remaining six tracks
prove that the Argerich/Rabinovich
collaboration is one to be reckoned
with, especially the Ravel. The
Rachmaninov and Mozart are excellent,
but the Ravel, which ends the disc,
leaves ones ears ringing. Depending
on the repertoire sought, tentatively
recommended.
Gregory W. Stouffer
WARNER CLASSICS 2564-61589 [75:47]
