Ivan Moravec plays Debussy (UK Import) by Ivan Moravec | CD | condition good
18 Nov, 2020
Superb playing and recording
This is a rare recording which commands silly prices but if you appreciate refined Debussy playing and extremely life-like piano recording it's worth the money. Moravec was certainly one of the most underrated pianists of the 20th century. His playing was full of subtlety, refinement and contemplation, at the other end of the spectrum from Lang Lang. Moravec had nothing of the showman about him
05 Nov, 2006
Monk at his best
This was a Monk album I bought in a sale without even listening to it in the shop - yes, I was already a fan who had several albums by Monk, but this is one of my top three Monk albums. Why? It has a great variety of tempo and texture - from the opening Lulu's back in town with a zany solo followed by the band joining in, via a very moving Memories of You on solo piano and Stuffy Turkey,which has some amazing interplay between the band members.The other tracks are pretty good too. Sound is excellent on all tracks.Not just another Monk album, but one of his finest.
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4 in C minor, Op. 43 CD (1999)
28 Dec, 2016
Good but not the best
I already have Neeme Järvi's Shostakovich 5 and 10, so I decided to get his recording of no.4. Most reviews praise it very highly and mention its no holds barred approach. I can hear what they mean, but my problem is that my first exposure to this amazing symphony was the Rudolf Barshai recording on Brilliant, and that has spolled every other recording I have ever heard since. The biggest difference between Barshai and Järvi for me is in the rhythms. Järvi seems quite slack rhythmically compared to the tautness and snap of Barshai, and this really struck me. For someone new to this work, the Järvi is a great choice, but I feel like I have heard the real thing with Barshai, and I just can't get it out of my head, nor do I want to!