Martha Argerich, Berliner Philharmoniker, Claudio Abbado - Prokofiev & Ravel: Piano Concertos (1995/2015) [24/96]

This is the original Prokofiev/Ravel concerto coupling as it appeared on LP; the Prokofiev has also been coupled with the Tchaikovsky First Concerto. I prefer this edition since superb performances of the Ravel are less common. The young (1967) Martha Argerich plays the Prokofiev for maximum brilliance but leavens the Ravel with the composer's ironic lyricism. It's very effective. The bonus is one of the greatest performances of the Ravel piano suite ever recorded, but it leaves me wondering what will happen to the remainder of the original LP. All those solo Ravel pieces should be in the catalog; as Argerich plays them, they offer a primer on what keyboard color is all about.

„There have been others to match the bustle and brilliance of Argerich's Prokofiev, her coloristic range, her drive, her flashiness, her straining at the leash. But I'm not sure I could name anyone who has so satisfyingly combined all those qualities, who has given us such a rocket-launched recapitulation in the first movement, such circus-routine vividness in the following variations (Prokofiev grew up in a Russia where `circusization of the arts' was one of the 'in' concepts), or such monstrous, hyperbolic fairy-tale imagery in the finale, and all done with the most engaging reckless abandon.

The Ravel Concerto is another bundle of energy. I had forgotten how miraculous is the blend and interplay of piano and orchestra, and how ecstatically Argerich weaves around the cor anglais restatement in the slow movement.

Embarras de richesses indeed, now that DG have added Argerich's Gaspard to the original LP coupling. Here is a version of Ravel's devilish triptych which is unusually faithful to his subdued dynamic markings, quite apart from its breathtaking agility. The results ring poetically true at the same time as defying criticism in pianistic terms.“ (Gramophone)

Tracklist:

Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953)

Piano Concerto No.3 in C, Op.26
1. 1. Andante - Allegro 09:02
2. 2. Tema con variazione 09:03
3. 3. Allegro ma non troppo 09:09

Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)

Piano Concerto In G, M. 83
4. 1. Allegramente 08:10
5. 2. Adagio assai 09:03
6. 3. Presto 04:03

Gaspard de la nuit, M.55
7. Ondine 06:19
8. Le gibet 06:42
9. Scarbo 09:20

Personnel:
Martha Argerich, piano
Berliner Philharmoniker
Claudio Abbado, conductor

Recorded 5-6/1967 (Concertos) at Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin and November 1974
(Gaspard) at Studio Lankwitz, Berlin-Lankwitz, Germany
Engineered by Heinz Wildhagen
Produced by Rainer Brock

Digitally remastered