Dvořák: Piano Works Played on Dvořák's Own Bösendorfer Piano

I personally did not like this alto CD. I am not someone that enjoys the idolatry of a person nor its objects; so even listening to a 1879 piano belonging to the composer, did not light my imagination.
Radoslav Kvapil is too harsh for my taste, but according to his biography he certainly has the qualifications to interpret these in his own way. The listener must decide.

• 1-8 Humoresques, Op.101
• 9-13 American Suite, Op.98
• 14-15 Dumka and Furiant, Op.12
• 16-27 Silhouettes, Op.8

Chopin:Préludes/Impromptus

I might be saying a blasphemy, and I declare myself guilty. But this is the best CD I have found to be working, while listening to it. They are so varied and melodious. Sweet or strong, energetic or reflexive. Beautiful interpretations by Claudio Arrau.

In this Philips/Decca CD, Arrau plays Chopin, with recordings from 1974 and 1981.

24 Préludes, Op.28

1. C
2. Am
3. G
4. Em
5. D
6. Bm
7. A
8. F#m
9. E
10. C#m
11. B
12. G#m
13. F#
14. E#m
15. Db
16. Bbm
17. Ab
18. Fm
19. Eb
20. Cm
21. Bb
22. Gm
23. F
24. Dm
• Prélude in C#m, Op.45
• Prélude in Ab, Op.posth.

Impromptus

• No.1 in Ab, Op.29
• No.2 in F#, Op.36
• No.3 in Gb, Op.51
• No.4 in C#M, Op.66 "Fantaisie-Impromptu"

Saint-Saëns: Le Carneval des Animaux

This discontinued Point Classics CD has had several bad reviews, despite its minimal price. I personally enjoyed it and would still recommend it.
It includes a DDD recording from 1994: Le Carneval des animaux performed by Süddeutsche Philharmonie, conducted by Hanspeter Gmür. The sound is not as bright as we are used to in recent recordings, but still acceptable.

1. Introduction and royal march of the lion
2. Cockes and hens
3. Wild asses
4. Tortoises
5. Elephants
6. Kangaroos
7. Aquarium
8. People with long ears
9. Cuckoo in the heart of the woods
10. Aviary
11. Pianists
12. Fossils
13. The swan
14. Finale.

Symphony No. 3, Op. 78, in c minor, 'Organ,' performed by the Münchner Symphonie Orchester, conducted by Alberto Lizzio: (15) Adagio - Allegro moderato; (16) Allegro moderato; (17) Maestoso - Allegro moderato. Total playing time 56:30.

Strauss: Walzer & Polkas

These are the 1980 Karajan recordings for the famous Strauß (x3) Walzer )waltz).
Interesting is that there are works from Johann father, Johann son (the famous Johann Strauß), and Josef brother.
Karajan and the Berliner Philharmoniker give all this elegance and magnificence to these works. It is fluid, rich, and enveloping. This Deutsche Grammophon CD is among the best Karajan out there, plus these are timeless small pieces.

Johann Strauss (1825-1899)



1. "Die Fledermaus": Ouvertüre


2. Kaiser-Walzer op.437


3. Perpetuum mobile op.257


4. G'schichten aus dem Wienerwald op. 325


5. Unter Donner und Blitz op.324


6. Rosen aus dem Süden



Johann Strauss (father)(1804-1849)



7. Radetzky-March op.228



Johann Strauss



8. An der schönen, blauen Donau op.314


9. Leichtes Blut op.319



Josef Strauss (1827-1870)



10. Delirien-Walzer op.212



Johann Strauss



11. Auf der Jagd op.373

Beethoven: Symphony no.9

My disc is from Deutsche Grammophon's "entrée" collection, whereas the one I present is from DG's Numerique. Both are exactly the same May 1986 live recording with Claudio Abbado conducting the Wiener Philharmoniker.

Abbado's version of Beethoven's Symphony no. 9 is quite controlled and precise. It seems dragging in time, at moments, but the sound clarity is great... a lot of detail and warm, full sounds. I am not sure to recommend it, in general, but it sounds quite well, with a fabulous dynamic range.
Gabriela Beňačková - soprano; Marjana Lipovšek - contralto; Gösta Winbergh - tenor; Hermann Prey - baritone; Konzertvereingung Wiener Staatsopernchor

Beethoven: Symphony no.9, Dm, op.125



1. allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso (17'14)


2. molto vivace (14'21)


3. adagio molto e cantabile


4. presto - "o freunde, nicht diese töne!" - allegro assai (final chorus from Schiller's ode "An die Freude")

Bizet: L'Arlesienne & Carmen Suites

What a lovely CD for a rainy working evening. Spirited, forceful, harmonious, and well-known melodies, with bright orchestration.
The London Festival Orchestra conducted by Cesare Cantieri plays Bizet's opera suites, in the Point Classic CD.

L'Arlesienne op.23 Suite #1



1. Prélude


2. Minuetto


3. Adagietto - Adagio


4. Carillon



L'Arlesienne op.23 Suite#2



5. Pastorale


6. Intermezzo


7. Minuetto


8. Farandole (Allegro deciso)



Carmen Suite #1



9. Prélude (Les Toréadors)


10. Aragonaise


11. Intermezzo


12. Seguidilla


13. Les Dragons d'Alcalo


14. Les Toréadors



Carmen Suite #2



15. Marche de contrebandieros


16. Habanero


17. Nocturne


18. Chanson du Toréadors


19. Le garde montante


20. Danse bohème

Wilhelm Kempff (Centurion)

This is a somewhat reknowned CD by Centurion Classics, that albeit being very cheap has great masterpieces by Mozart and Beethoven, but played by magnificent Wilhelm Kempff.

Such depth in interpretation, with softness or anger, speed and expression. It is difficult (at least for me) to imagine a better one.



You may buy this CD for Kempff's piano interpretation, either Mozart's and/or Beethoven's Concerto (or Sonata), or the price... for any of these reasons you would have done right.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20	D minor	K. 466	Dresdner Philharmonic, Paul van Kempen (director)	recorded 1941
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3	C minor	Op. 37	Dresdner Philharmonic, Paul van Kempen (director)	recorded 1942
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 24	F sharp major	Op. 78		recorded 1932