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Review - Art of Ashkenazy

by Aaron Davies

This marvellous double CD, a nominee for the Classical Brit Awards, is a sublime collection of some of Vladimir Ashkenazy's finest recordings made throughout his illustrious career.

The first CD contains orchestral pieces, most of them being slow movements from piano concertos, although a full recording of Rachmaninov's 2nd piano concerto appears at the end of the disc. The second CD consists of works for the piano and it is both a satisfying and varying range that appears, stretching from Beethoven to Prokofiev.

Beginning with Rachmaninov's 3rd piano concerto, 1st movement, this five-minute excerpt displays primarily Ashkenazy's sheer virtuosic ability in this, arguably the most difficult ever written, concerto opening.

Staying with Rachmaninov, track 2 is the beautiful and famous Db major variation from the Paganini Variations. Ashkenazy's playing here is lyrical and swells with the music, fully bringing out the passion that the composer intended it to produce.

The 2nd movement of Beethoven's Emperor concerto features next and demonstrates almost perfect balance in dialogue between orchestra and piano. The playing here is suitably gentle to match the mood and atmosphere.

Near dynamic perfection is achieved in track 4, Tchaikovsky's 1st piano concerto, 2nd movement. It is never too loud and yet never too soft. The frantic waltz section and the sudden unexpected virtuosic playing that precedes it is handled masterfully and made to sound easy within the dynamic restrictions of the composer's direction.

The 2nd movement of Mozart's evergreen piano concerto no.21 features next and its gentle swaying orchestral passages serve as an introduction to the piano imitatively taking up the main theme. Mozart's decorated piano writing is dashed off with consummate ease.

The mystical sounding 2nd movement from Prokofiev's 1st piano concerto is played searchingly and emerges powerfully, thanks in part to the firm piano playing. A mysterious eerie tone is essentially kept throughout and therefore, the movement's effect is assured.

Chopin's delicate piano writing in the 2nd movement of his 2nd piano concerto is executed wonderfully as the beautiful harmony featured in this movement is decorated with the composer's typical scale like runs and trills. Ashkenazy dutifully adheres to the manuscript markings and as a result the effect produced is a marvellously romantic sound. This movement serves as a perfect vehicle for someone such as Ashkenazy to demonstrate their polished playing.

To round off CD 1, we are treated to a performance of Sergei Rachmaninov's immortal C minor piano concerto. This 1984 recording by The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra conducted by Bernard Haitink, exploits fully the lush melodies and haunting Russian melancholy that is always present in Rachmaninov's music. Ashkenazy handles the virtuoso passages without difficulty and this proves to be a recording well worth having in the collection. It betters many other performances of this work because Haitink allows the music time to breathe and for each instrument's voice to be heard.

Focusing on CD2, a segment of five Chopin tracks open the album; these are Grande Valse Brilliante op.18, Raindrop Prelude, "Black Key" Etude, Eb Nocturne op.9, no.2 and the Minute Waltz. The playing here, as one might expect, is submerged in the early romantic style and these little gems are a pleasure to listen to when left in the capable hands of such an accomplished performer.

Following these Chopin classics, three famous Beethoven tunes arrive: Für Elise, Moonlight Sonata (1st movement) and the 2nd movement of the Pathetique sonata. They are handled with customary aplomb and despite faithfully respecting Beethoven's wishes, Ashkenazy never allows the music to sound boring.

Track 9 is Schubert's charming little Impromptu no.3 in Gb major. The melody is really made to sing above the changing harmonic accompaniment; this serves to make the piece more enjoyable to the ear, given its clear lyrical intentions.

Two of Schumann's terrific Kinderszehen pieces are included next: Von fremden Ländern und Menschen (from foreign lands and people) and Träumerei (Dreaming). Ashkenazy is a touch experimental in his approach to the triplet rhythm accompaniment in the first piece, opting to adopt a very slight touch of rubato, and this feature itself differentiates this recording from so many other identical ones.

The popular Träumerei is interpreted slowly and thoughtfully and the playing here is excellent enough to conjure up to us today precisely what Schumann was himself thinking when he sat down to compose this evocative little piece.

Another charming collection of Chopin follows: Military Polonaise, Tristesse Etude, Mazurka in D op.33, no.2, C# minor waltz op.64, no.2 and the Fantasie-Impromptu.Ashkenazy's muscular playing is exemplified in the "Military" polonaise, a work that both requires and demands strong wrists, and a great deal of stamina! The suitably forceful playing never lets up throughout and it certainly paints the scene of a military march.

The hauntingly beautiful "Tristesse" etude is given a clear and smooth performance, Chopin's careful phrasing interpreted expertly. The mazurka is made to sound genuinely like the Polish dance as it should be, with various skilfully played ornaments, whilst the C# minor waltz is brought to life in a pleasant fashion.

The rendition of the Fantasie-Impromptu here however, is spectacularly brilliant and I would readily subscribe to the view that it is in fact a superior recording to others (thanks in part to the magnificent instrument upon which Ashkenazy is playing.

Ravel's Pavane is well balanced and great attention is paid to the tonal colours, which are so important particularly in French impressionist music.

A probing interpretation is afforded to the Prokofiev piece "Dance of the girls with Lillies" and the CD rounds of with two fine recordings of well loved Rachmaninov preludes: the G minor and the C# minor. These are renowned and authoritative recordings and played with a true Russian spirit, which lends itself to a higher authenticity of listening pleasure.

With this collection, the proof is there for all to see (or perhaps, hear) that Vladimir Ashkenazy is a living legend and one of the finest exponents of the classical piano repertoire of our time.

I highly recommend this CD to anyone.

AARON DAVIES