The Pekinel sisters
have made the recording of this type
of repertoire something of a speciality;
their Stravinsky Rite of Spring is
notable. In addition, they have recorded
many original works for two pianos.
Here, in a re-release
of a Teldec recording of 1993, at superbudget
price, we have three fairly modern pieces,
two in arrangements for two pianos,
and two pianos plus percussion, in tandem
with Bartok’s piece written for the
current instrumental grouping.
The Bernstein Suite
is in an arrangement by Paul McKibbins
and Robert Phillips under the supervision
of the composer. The percussion has
been arranged by Peter Sadlo. Bernstein
has recorded the full orchestral version
of the suite at least twice professionally
with the New York Philharmonic and the
Los Angeles Philharmonic on Sony and
DG respectively. Those who love the
orchestral score will find this arrangement
wanting in the lushness of Bernstein’s
exceptionally skilled orchestration.
In addition the very prominent jazzy
syncopations sound a little forced here.
I think this is a result of the classical
training of these two superb pianists
being unable to "let go".
Otherwise, I found this performance
very satisfying.
Much the same criticism
may be levelled at the Gershwin Preludes,
although without the distraction of
the percussion, the two soloists can
concentrate on realizing Gershwin’s
sound-world. This is really very good
playing of these relatively short miniature
masterpieces.
When we reach the Bartók,
we are in a different realm, and one
which I find our soloists very much
at home. There are no external factors
- such as being able to project the
jazz influences - to worry about, simply
Bartók’s Sonata, performed as
it was written, with no additional instruments
or influences. This work has been extremely
lucky in the recording studio to date
and this performance can hold its head
up high in such exalted company as Nelson
Freire and Martha Argerich, Stephen
Kovacevich and Martha Argerich, Ashkenazy
(father and son), the Casadesus father
and son, Murray Perahia and Georg Solti,
among others.
The recording is very
well balanced between percussion and
soloists, and Bartók’s interplay
between the two pianos may be clearly
heard, being tossed between the two
instruments to the manner born.
This is an interesting
disc, very well played and recorded,
in addition to its extremely low price.
If the repertoire attracts, then you
will be well pleased with this disc
in your collection.
John Phillips
Guher and Suher Pekinel (pianos) 
