Review by terence April 27, 2006 (9 of 11 found this review helpful)
|
|
The RBCD I thought of most often when listening to Pizarro's interpretation of the Third Sonata here was Rubinstein's stereo RCA recording. That of course is a formidable comparison, but Pizarro much of the time can take it - his playing has the same type of Romantic grandeur combined with sweet poetry which was very much Rubinstein's hallmark in this composer.
Inevitably there are some things which Rubinstein does just that bit better - Pizarro's slow movement is very fine indeed, but occasionally drags just a touch rhythmically. You need a mighty technique to do justice to the finale, and Pizarro has everything needed - yet just occasionally he snaps a little impatiently at accents, where Rubinstein has a sweeping, implacable majesty.
I don't personally expect Rubinstein's recording ever to be bettered - it's just magnificent. But there's no doubt that Pizarro is outstanding in his own right, and he's given a warmly sympathetic Linn recording, with discreet use of the rears to fill out the ambience a little.
Pianophiles should note that Pizarro here plays a Blüthner, not a Steinway. It has a softer, mellower tonal palette overall, but particularly in the lower registers, where you occasionally feel you're almost listening to a rather larger than usual period piano. It suits Pizarro's playing, and makes his virtuosity less intimidating than it might be on a fully spec-ed concert Steinway.
I'm now anxious to hear Pizarro's Beethoven Op. 109-111 - it seems to have had a rather mixed reception, but he sure can play, and clearly has a richly poetic temperament.
|
Was this review helpful to you?
yes |
no
|
|