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MIKHAIL PLETNEV. Homage to Rachmaninov. RACHMANINOV. Variations on a theme of Corelli, Op 42; Etudes Tableaux, Op 33 Nos 5,6,8 and 9. BEETHOVEN. Sonata in E flat, Op 81 Les Adieux. MENDELSSOHN. Andante Cantabile and Presto agitato; Rondo Capriccioso, Op 14. CHOPIN. Andante spianato and Grand Polonaise, Op 22.  Mikhail Pletnev playing Rachmaninov's Steinway.   DG 459 634-2 [DDD] [74' 35"].

 


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Rachmaninov's Op 42 and Op 43 are both in variation form and well worth a comparison. The Corelli Variations are not an original theme by Corelli but an Iberian folk song. The theme itself is choice because it is memorable but any set of variations has to be carefully planned to make a unified whole or else we merely have a theme and, in this case, 22 miniature pieces based on the same thematic material. You never get the time to settle into one of these little pieces before the tempo and mood changes and you feel you it is another piece. Somehow, the famous Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op 43 works, as the variations are more extended than in the Corelli Variations. The theme of the latter work is more robust and lends itself more favourably to the variation form.

Mikhail Pletnev's strength is in the exquisite sounds that he produces from Rachmaninov's own Steinway. His playing brings out the many nuances of the thoughtful music but there was a lack of aggression and excitement in the quicker music. Pletnev majors on the sentimental side of Rachmaninov, and his tone is excellent, but it does not appeal to everyone and I am sure that Rachmaninov did not arrange his variations to the best advantage and this is why we see the changes in the Paganini Rhapsody. For example, the last five variations in the latter piece are all quick and the Corelli Variations would work better if collected into three groups: fast, slow, fast. The flabby structure of this piece is Rachmaninov's fault.

The Beethoven works far better as a piece of music but there is a lack of cohesion in the opening movement. Difficult to interpret it is, but I have heard other performances that succeed. A basic pulse is missing here. Again, to be fair, this is not one of Beethoven's best creations.

The slow movement, Andante espressivo, lacks insight. The pianist has not planned it out to give a logical overall reading of this difficult music to interpret. The quick finale displays some fine fingerwork but the recording is somewhat cold and clinical for me and with a limited range of tone.

The Mendelssohn is interesting. I did not detect much of a cantabile tone in the Andante. The Presto agitato was well played but the recorded sound had no real sparkle. The Rondo Capriccioso, Op 14 is a gorgeous piece but the performance missed the essential elegance and charm; nor does it seem to hang together.

The Chopin does not work. The opening polonaise theme has a rubato as if the pianist is not sure that he can play it at speed. If you consult my reviews of Peter Katin's superlative Chopin discs, you will see that I object to Chopin being played as frills and trifles and Pletnev falls into this pit at times. Other times he pulls himself out and there are some passages of glorious tone. At times he quietens the music down and it gives the impression that he is tentative and not sure that he can play it. I will agree that this is a false impression.

The disc ends with four Etudes Tableaux. In No 8 in G minor Pletnev finally captures the spirit of Rachmaninov with telling effect ... but I am now going to listen to Peter Katin play the Rachmaninov Preludes Op 23 and Brendel play the Beethoven just to remind me of how these composers should ideally be played.

Let me make it clear. Pletnev is a fine player when it comes to technique. It is his lack of insight into each of the pieces which troubles me. In other words all of the pieces must satisfactorily fuse together as to its constituent parts to make a complete work. Sometimes this cannot be done because of the weakness in the composition which I have already hinted at. To add to this, the recorded sound on this CD, while precise and clear, is restricted in range of tone.

Reviewer

David Wright

Performances

Recording

Reviewer

David Wright

Performances

Recording

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