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Label:
  Triton - http://www.octavia.co.jp/
Serial:
  EXCL-00017
Title:
  Sibelius: Piano Works - Ashkenazy
Description:
  Jean Sibelius: Piano Works

Vladimir Ashkenazy (piano)
Track listing:
 
Genre:
  Classical - Instrumental
Content:
  Stereo
Media:
  Hybrid
Recording type:
 
Recording info:
 

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Reviews: 2

Site review by Geohominid February 18, 2011
Performance:   Sonics:
The text for this review has been moved to the new site. You can read it here:

http://www.HRAudio.net/showmusic.php?title=5454#reviews

Review by canonical January 19, 2010 (5 of 6 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
Piano works by Sibelius:

* Valse Triste Op 44 No.1
* Impromptu in B Minor Op 5 No5
* 10 Pieces Op 58
* 5 Pieces Op 85
* 5 Romantic Pieces Op 101
* 5 Esquisses Op 114
* Valse Triste again (now played on Sibelius' piano, in his house)


The piano pieces on this SACD are generally somewhat 'lighter' ... and not that well-known. There is a complete set available on BIS Redbook CD with Erik Tawaststjerna, recorded in the early 1980s. Tawaststjerna's performance of the 5 pieces is often more measured, or tranquil, or thoughtful or pensive, but the sound of Tawaststjerna's performance on that redbook CD is rather muffled.

Even though this SACD is recorded in a concert hall, the ambience is not so much concert hall - nor studio ... Rather, one can almost imagine sitting in Sibelius' lounge, as a most privileged invited guest, in the style of a soirée, with Ashkenazy doing the honours splendidly, and informally, at the keyboard. It has a warmth, intimacy and naturalness that is really quite refreshing. The sound of the piano, and the sound of the recording, are both excellent (DSD re-mastering of a recording of unstated resolution made in December 2007).

Tracks 1 - 27 are recorded in the Jarvenpaa Talo (Hall) in Finland. The final track, track 28, is the Valse Triste of track 1 again, but now played on the piano in Sibelius' home Aionola (and recorded there too). The latter sounds pretty much like what you get when you plonk Vladimir Ashkenzy down on your grandmother's piano (warts and all, but fun for just the final track).

The SACD is beautifully presented, and housed in a proper Super Jewel Box; the programme notes are predominantly in Japanese (though the track listings etc are given in English).

This SACD provides a rather different conception of perfection. Even though there is some minor unevenness in the faster runs, the recording and performance have their own live naturalness ... a naturalness without pretense ... that perfectly suit the repertoire. Highly recommended.

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