COMPOSERS: Mussorgsky/Liszt
LABELS: Decca
WORKS: Pictures at an Exhibition
PERFORMER: Vladimir Ashkenazy (piano)
CATALOGUE NO: 425 045-2 ADD (1967/71)
Ashkenazy’s performance of Mussorgsky’s Pictures is not so much detached as controlled. Those who know Richter’s legendary performance will wish for more flamboyance – especially in the ‘Great Gate of Kiev’. But there are some beautiful moments in this poetic account. The Liszt studies offer a wider palette, and Ashkenazy proves himself equally capable of extrovert display and poetic expression. Nicholas Rast
Mussorgsky/Liszt
Ashkenazy’s performance of Mussorgsky’s Pictures is not so much detached as controlled. Those who know Richter’s legendary performance will wish for more flamboyance – especially in the ‘Great Gate of Kiev’. But there are some beautiful moments in this poetic account. The Liszt studies offer a wider palette, and Ashkenazy proves himself equally capable of extrovert display and poetic expression. Nicholas Rast
Our rating
3
Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:37 pm