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Suggestions for Classical Piano "works of merit"

Following a disc of Beethoven Piano Sonatas by Anne Oland I just put on a CD from "Shumann Piano Works" played by Wilhelm Kempff. What an extraordinary contrast in both content and playing. Wilhelms intense sensitivity to the moment by moment transitions in Schumanns lyrical and personal "Scenes from Childhood" and "Fantasies" is starkly,and beneficially contrasted,following the Beethoven pieces, and reveals a true master plumbing the full potential of the pieces & piano. This is from a 4CD Deutsche Grammaphone compilation from 1967 to 1975; (Stereo 471 312-2), recordings that I very highly recommend to afficianados and new listeners as well. (The recording quality is excellent on my Spectral/MIT system.) I would enjoy and appreciate hearing of other fine collections and any feedback on the Schumann.
psacanli
psacanli OP
535 posts
 
Thanks TKAudio, Rushton and Newbee. I try new pieces by borrowing from our city library to see if I want to buy. These days they only deal in CD's, so as much as I appreciate vinyl(via a 1980's Goldmund Studietto) I have no way to audition Vinyl and no longer buy any new. I guess I will havre start picking up CD's from the web now as well since CD outlets seem to be dwindling. I wonder how long we'll be able to buy CD's? Times are changing, youth drives change, and all I hear from younger (20's) listeners is Playstation, hard drives storage, ipod's, etc
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,430 posts
 
Having access to a good library is a great resource, Pscanli. While I was in a transition to a new city recently and without my turntable, I got to sample a lot of recordings/performances new to me by taking advantage of CDs available on loan from the library, and I enjoyed that tremendously. Still find myself buying lots of used and new vinyl though.
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audphile1's avatar
audphile1
1,368 posts
 
Psacanli, something else to check out, unless you already heard these:

Brahms: Piano Concertos 1 and 2 with Riccardo Chailly and Nelson Freire.

Shostakovich: Piano Concertos Nos 1 & 2 on EMI with Mikhail Rudy and Mariss Jansons.
This cd also contains Symphony No.1 so it will be an added bonus. Concerto 1 is with Berlin PO, the second is with LSO. Symphony is with BPO as well. Exellent performance and pretty good quality recording.
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uru975
684 posts
 
Rossini, yes Rossini as played by Aldo Ciccolini Pleasures and Peccadillos on Seraphim, also if available Sins of Old Age. These are considered Humorous piano works
audioperv
18 posts
 
For something quite unique and just slightly away from the usual path well travelled try:
Antonin Dvorak: Complete Piano Music / Inna Poroshina
A 5 CD set on the Brilliant Classics label, available for $21 at CD Universe.
 
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