This is an enterprising compilation
disc collecting four quite different
works for piano and orchestra with death
as the unifying topic. This is a little
macabre, but still a good idea, given
the choice of works. Indeed the coupling
of the Dohnanyi and Rachmaninov used
to be a favourite of Decca with Julius
Katchen, both with the mono originals
and also the stereo remake. The addition
of the other two works adds to the interest,
and makes for a well filled disc which
is bound to bring enjoyment, given the
extremely low price.
The Dohnanyi, played
in thrilling fashion by Schiff, ably
accompanied in typical fashion by Solti
and his Chicago Orchestra is extremely
exciting. The heavy brass, well known
in this band, is very powerful indeed
and the poor pianist must have been
deafened. Decca have coped with the
balance very well. I can thoroughly
recommend this version of Dohnanyi’s
ever entertaining and tuneful spoof
of many of his contemporary and not
so contemporary composer friends.
The Liszt Totentanz,
although very well played by both soloist
and orchestra does not have the tingle
factor so evident in other hands for
example when played by Gyorgy Cziffra
with the Philharmonia and Andernoot
(my own favourite). I know speed is
not everything, but Cziffra knocks a
full two minutes off this piece - which
only lasts just about a quarter of an
hour. Peter Katin sounds here as though
he is having a bad day, which is a pity
as he is normally quite a vital soloist.
Even the presence of Jean Martinon cannot
lift his work off the ground.
The next work on the
disc is Rachmaninov’s ever-favourite
set of variations based upon Paganini’s
24th caprice. The death reference
comes from the Dies Irae, beloved
by the composer, and sprinkled liberally
through the score. I hadn’t heard this
performance before, and enjoyed it very
much. It is vital, and well played,
and like the Second Piano Concerto,
so popular in the catalogue that it
is impossible to choose a best buy.
Needless to say, this version stands
up well to the old favourites including
the version by the conductor himself.
The disc concludes
with the much shorter set of Variations
on the same Paganini caprice favoured
by Rachmaninov. Without expanding to
quite the extent of the Rachmaninov,
this is well written and receives a
first class performance.
I can recommend this
disc without reservation unless you
particularly want the Liszt, when I
can direct you to better versions by
far.
John Phillips
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Vladimir Ashkenazy
