Cul-de-Sac > Rue I > Playing the piano is identifying the self.
Discs Reminiscent of 2014

Alkan: Grande Sonate / Sonatine / Le Festin d'Esope
Marc-André Hamelin (pf), Hyperion, 1994
The supervirtuoso's unrivaled recording for Alkan's important works. The highlight must be one of the most heroic variation, "Le Festin d'Esope".
Wagneriana
Cyprien Katsaris (pf), Sony, 1994
A collection of piano transcriptions for Wagner's opera works. Katsaris's wonderful sense brings out the drama at the maximum, especially for "Walküre" arranged by Louis Brassin.
Rachmaninov / Prokofiev: Piano Concertos
Yuja Wang (pf), Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, Gustavo Dudamel (con), Grammophon, 2013
The two supreme piano concertos, Rachmaninoff's no.3 and Prokofiev's no.2, are perfectly conquered by the young female virtuoso. The latter overwhelming performance deserves special mention.
Akira Ifukube: Piano Works (1/2)
Hitomi Takara (pf), Altus, 2014
Ifukube's 100th anniversary album for his complete piano works. His masterpiece "Piano Suite" is composed of four fantastic pieces based on traditional motifs in the Tohoku region.
Eileen Joyce
Eileen Joyce (pf), Testament, 1933, 1934, 1937, 1938, 1939
The Australian legendary female pianist plays Romantic short masterpieces in the grand manner of the Golden Age. Her fair and square performance is comparable to Hough's piano album.
Emil Gilels Legacy Vol.8
Emil Gilels (pf), Doremi, 1950, 1954, 1959, 1963
The Titan's ambitious old recordings, focusing on rare works by Eastern European composers, Vladigerov, Bartok, Smetana & Khachaturian.
Vadim Rudenko: Kapustin Piano Sonata No.9 etc.
Vadim Rudenko (pf), Triton, 2001
A challenging disc released by a Russian pianist. His brisk play brightens Kapustin's sonata no.9, and transcriptions of Tchaikovsky's orchestral works.
Chick Corea: Piano Improvisations Vol.1
Chick Corea (pf), ECM, 1971
Early recording by the great pianist. The opening piece "Noon Song" is so impressive as to fall into his world, which probably fits everybody.

Since 2002/5/18 © SAKUMA Tetsuya