Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven, Frédéric François Chopin, Claude Achille Debussy, Ferencz Liszt, Robert Schumann, Igor Stravinsky, Anton Webern
Performer: Maurizio Pollini
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Steinway & Sons
Catalogue: E4776621
Release: 2006
Size: 504 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
CD 01
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53 – “Waldstein”
01. I. Allegro con brio
02. II. Introduzione (Adagio molto)
03. III. Rondo (Allegretto moderato – Prestissimo)
Schumann: Études symphoniques, Op. 13
04. Theme
05. Etude I
06. Etude II
07. Etude III
08. Etude IV
09. Etude V
10. Variation I
11. Variation II
12. Variation III
13. Variation IV
14. Variation V
15. Etude VI
16. Etude VII
17. Etude VIII
18. Etude IX
19. Etude X
20. Etude XI
21. Etude XII (Finale)
Stravinsky: Three Movements from Petrushka
22. Danse russe. Allegro giusto
23. Chez Pétrouchka
24. La semaine grasse. Con Moto – Allegretto – Tempo giusto – Agitato
Webern: Variations, Op. 27
25. 1. Sehr mäßig
26. 2. Sehr schnell
27. 3. Ruhig, fließend
CD 02
01. Schumann: Arabeske in C major, Op. 18
02. Chopin: Berceuse in D flat major, Op. 57
Chopin: Études, Op. 25
03. No. 1 in A-Flat Major “Harp Study”
04. No. 7 in C-Sharp Minor “Cello”
05. No. 9 in G-Flat Major “Butterfly Wings”
06. No. 10 in B Minor “Octave”
07. No. 11 in A Minor “Winter Wind”
08. No. 12 in C Minor “Ocean”
Liszt: Piano Sonata in B minor, S178
09. Lento assai (I)
10. Allegro energico (I)
11. Grandioso
12. Recitativo-
13. Andante sostenuto – (I)
14. Quasi adagio
15. Allegro energico (II)
16. Più mosso
17. Stretta quasi Presto-
18. Presto – Prestissimo-
19. Andante sostenuto – (II)
20. Allegro moderato-
21. Lento assai (II)
Debussy: Études pour piano
22. 09. Pour les Notes répétées
23. 10. Pour les Sonorités opposées
24. 11. Pour les Arpèges composés
25. 12. Pour les Accords
If the intention of this two-disc set is to show off the quality of Steinway pianos, it wholly succeeds. Anyone hearing the clarity, warmth, and depth of the pianos here would have to agree that Steinways are surely among the greatest pianos ever made. If the intention of this set is to show off the quality of Maurizio Pollini as a pianist, it completely succeeds. Although he has been accused of emotional objectivity and intellectual severity, anyone hearing his performances here would have to agree that Pollini has perhaps the finest technique of any pianist in the second half of the twentieth century. In performance after performance, from his astounding Three Movements from Petrouchka by Stravinsky to his astonishing “Winter Wind” Etude by Chopin, Pollini’s playing is truly breathtaking. And if as a bonus the intention of this set is to show off the quality of Deutsche Grammophon’s piano recordings, it entirely succeeds. The absolute lucidity and the undeniable reality of their sound puts Pollini and his Steinway right in the room with the listener. While fans of Pollini will no doubt already have all of these previously issued recordings, anyone who doesn’t already know his playing should check out this set. Just put on the last track of the second disc — Debussy’s Pour les accords from his 12 Etudes — it’s guaranteed to blow your mind.