Martha Argerich - Music for Two Pianos (2008)

When EMI agreed to record Martha Argerich's appearances at the Lugano Chamber Music Festival, no doubt part of the contract included a clause stipulating it could release her two piano recordings separately. It only makes sense. While her dedicated fans might be avidly interested in everything the Argentinean pianist does, less ardent listeners may be more tempted by a set that focuses directly on Argerich rather than including all manner of chamber music. Here on two discs is Argerich distilled, or as distilled as her disinclination to perform alone will allow. Joined by six different pianists in seven different works, Argerich delivers her standard hell-bent-for-glory playing. For Argerich, with her gigantic technique and fierce temperament, nothing less seems possible, and these are some of the most violently passionate performances of these pieces ever recorded. This approach works supremely well in Brahms' stormy Sonata in F minor and Rachmaninov's tempestuous Suite No. 2, but may seem a tad overdone on Prokofiev's wry "Classical" Symphony and Tchaikovsky's serene Nutcracker Suite. Still for hair-raising virtuosity, it is hard to beat Argerich matched with Gabriela Montero in Rachmaninov's Suite or with Lilya Zilberstein in Brahms' sonata. Recorded between 2002 and 2005, EMI's live sound is hot, close, and vivid.

Track List:

CD 1:
The Nutcracker Suite Op. 71a
Composed By – Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Piano – Martha Argerich, Mirabela Dina
Transcription By – Nicolas Economou
1-1 I. Ouverture Miniature 3:05
1-2 II. Danses Caractéristiques: a. Marche: Tempo Di Marcia Viva 2:22
1-3 b. Danse De La Fée Dragée: Andante Non Troppo 2:24
1-4 c. Danse Russe - Trépak: Tempo Di Trepak, Molto Vivace 1:05
1-5 d. Danse Arabe: Allegretto 3:16
1-6 e. Danse Chinoise: Allegro Moderato 0:59
1-7 f. Danse Des Mirlitons: Moderato Assai 2:12
1-8 III. Valse Des Fleurs 7:08
Suite No. 2 Op. 17 For Two Pianos
Composed By – Sergei Rachmaninov
Piano – Gabriela Montero, Martha Argerich
1-9 I. Introduction: Alla Marcia 3:43
1-10 II. Valse: Presto 5:31
1-11 III. Romance: Andantino 6:58
1-12 IV. Tarantelle: Presto 6:06
Six Morceaux Op. 11
Composed By – Sergei Rachmaninov
Piano – Lilya Zilberstein, Martha Argerich
1-13 I. Barcarolle 5:12
1-14 II. Scherzo 2:55
1-15 III. Thème Russe 4:13
1-16 IV. Valse 3:56
1-17 V. Romance 3:28
1-18 VI. Slava (Gloria) 4:48

CD 2:
Sonata In F Minor Op. 34b For Two Pianos (Transcription Of Piano Quintet Op. 34)
Composed By – Johannes Brahms
Piano – Lilya Zilberstein, Martha Argerich
2-1 I. Allegro Non Troppo 14:11
2-2 II. Andante, Un Poco Adagio 7:58
2-3 III. Scherzo: Allegro 6:57
2-4 IV. Finale: Poco Sostenuto - Allegro Non Troppo - Presto Non Troppo 10:09
Variations On A Theme By Joseph Haydn Op. 56b For Two Pianos
Composed By – Johannes Brahms
Piano – Martha Argerich, Polina Leschenko
2-5 Chorale 'St Anthony': Andante 1:48
2-6 Variation I: Andante Con Moto 1:02
2-7 Variation II: Vivace 0:56
2-8 Variation III: Con Moto 1:47
2-9 Variation IV: Andante 1:50
2-10 Variation V: Poco Presto 0:48
2-11 Variation VI: Vivace 1:10
2-12 Variation VII: Grazioso 2:53
2-13 Variation VIII: Poco Presto 0:47
2-14 Finale: Andante 4:08
Symphony No. 1 In D Op. 25 'Classical'
Composed By – Sergei Prokofiev
Piano – Martha Argerich, Yefim Bronfman
Transcription By – Rikuya Terashima
2-15 I. Allegro 4:11
2-16 II. Larghetto 3:55
2-17 III. Gavotte: Non Troppo Allegro 1:31
2-18 IV. Finale: Molto Vivace 4:25
2-19 Variations On A Theme By Paganini: Allegro Capriccioso - Meno Mosso - Poco Lento - Allegro Molto - Più Mosso - Ancora Più Mosso - Ancora Più Mosso
Composed By – Witold Lutoslawski
Piano – Giorgia Tomassi, Martha Argerich