An invaluable historic restoration of remarkable success. Marvellous
This is an historical issue of some considerable importance coupling, as it does, two key pieces from the repertoire of one of the finest pianists of our time at an early stage in her career. The sleeve comments that this pair of recordings made by the BBC in 1977 have been `lovingly restored, using the finest state-of-the-art technology.' I personally had doubts about the success of this especially as I own fine CDs of the same pieces recorded at a later date by Argerich and which are almost considered benchmark statements.
Well I can immediately report that the quality of the restoration has not been exaggerated. The colour imaging is remarkable, especially for its age, and very little allowance need be made here. The sound is presented in good genuine stereo. The camera work is rather less invasive than in some more recent issues and the detailed work gives a clear account of the performance. These comments must be read bearing in mind that this is not of Blu-ray level...
More than a celebration: a treasure!
If you do not know what a great artist Martha Argerich is, it is not possible to explain this phenomenal artist in a brief review. But it is clear to those of us who have listened to her for decades, that she is one of the great pianists of our time. And if you do know her as an artist you will be familiar with her CD recordings of the Tchaikovsky with Abbado, Kondrashin and Dutoit. All stunning recordings: perhaps even definitive as Gramophone says of her recording of the Tchaikovsky under Abbado. She has also done a marvelous Prokofiev on DGG.
So, her talent is not in dispute. But I sometimes think we forget the astonishing technical difficulty of the works we listen to these days and the intensity of focus required of these great performers. Therefore, to see her play these concerti is almost a revelation even for one, like me, who has listened to these works for decades. These performances are brilliantly played by a brilliant artist. There are moments when you listen and...
Phenomenal and fascinating
This is a wonderful video of Argerich playing two fantastic piano concertos. Of the two, her Prokofiev is the outstanding performance.... Just brilliant. The audio quality and video quality are both completely fine, so I am not sure why some people are complaining about that. There is a good balance of camera work on her hands and her face, although at some points one wishes the camera angles were better since in one performance her hair masks her face quite a bit. But that is a small quibble. I have watched it through three times, and it is really great. Highly recommended!
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