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Site review by Polly Nomial January 4, 2007
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Performance: Sonics (MC): |
This is a personal project from the musician and this type of project is usually distinguished or dreadful (like Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky: Piano Concertos - Soucek) - fortunately, this is definitely in the distinguished category.
The notes are given in great detail in the form of a letter from Markus Groh to Franz Liszt: they are a little too full of toadying for repeated reading but if one excises these from the booklet, a remarkably good essay on the structure and emotional content of the sonata emerges (as, to a much lesser extent, do the Fantasy & Fugue and the Totentanz). Groh amply expounds his intellectual musings at the keyboard and adds fantasy, excitement and technical excellence to this compelling account. There are moments when the writing almost overwhelms his technique but at no point does he actually fall foul of the difficulties (unlike some many more famous pianists one could mention). All three pieces are very well played and even in the Totentanz, one is reminded of (and not in a bad way) of the thrilling account that Krystian Zimerman has given with orchestra - which is not missed here because of the truly exceptional playing.
The sound is very, very good - the sound of the Steinway piano is as close to a concert hall as anyone could ever wish; it reflects the changes of tone colour that Groh extracts from the instrument and is at times rich & sonorous as well as the dazzling bright filigree that thrills the ear.
Highly recommended & one hopes for more (Liszt) from this fine young pianist.
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Copyright © 2007 John Broggio and SA-CD.net
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Review by Jonty June 8, 2006 (5 of 5 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics (S): |
An absolutely stunning disc.
The snippet on the Gramophone cover CD caught my ear and I ordered it from Avie directly. Groh playing of the sonata has all the fantasy, impetuosity and terror that Paul Lewis in his recent rather intellectual CD from Harmonia Mundi lacked good as he is. The fillers are as just as fine as the sonata. I didn't know the Totentanz transcription before but Groh playing means one doesn't miss the orchestra at all. To cap it all the recording, in stereo,is the best recording of a piano I have ever heard. Wonderful range and just the right amount of distance so that the acoustic supports but doesn't cloud the sound. I note that the engineer ,Peter Langer, is from Tritonus who have produced some great sounding recordings in the past.
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