Cul-de-Sac > Rue I > Playing the piano is identifying the self.
Discs Reminiscent of 2016

Bach: Die Kunst der Fuge (1/2)
Grigory Sokolov (pf), Opus111, 1982
Perfectly clear performance for the greatest polyphonic music. All voices are independently but cooperatively alive with the master's keen touch.
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Opp.109, 110 & 111
Mitsuko Uchida (pf), Philips, 2006
Long-awaited challenge to Beethoven's ultimate piano works. I remember her immeasurable concentration in the live performance in Tokyo.
Alkan: Piano Collection 1 Symphonie
Yui Morishita (pf), ALM Records, 2015
An up-and-coming Japanese young pianist, vigorously tackling Alkan's works. His awesome technique is most demonstrated in the devilish piece, Scherzo-Focoso.
Tchaikovsky: The Symphonies (5/6)
Concertgebouw Orchestra, Bernard Haitink (con), Decca, 1964, 1978
The fine box set is my daily background music in this year. I listened to the symphonies no.6, 5 and 1 in the order of frequency.
Mahler: Symphonie No.9
Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir John Barbirolli (con), EMI, 1964
A legendary disc of Mahler's deepest symphony with mellow and dense texture, which reminding me of the distant past.
Medtner: The Complete Piano Sonatas (2/4)
Marc-André Hamelin (pf), Hyperion, 1996-1998
The most worthy recording of the complete sonatas of Medtner. The second disc includes my two favorites, elegant "Sonata-Skazka" and magnificent "Night Wind".
Moriz Rosenthal: The Complete Recordings (2/5)
Moriz Rosenthal (pf), Appian Publications & Recordings, 1929-1931
Historical recordings by one of the most outstanding pupil of Liszt. I repeatedly listened for my reckless challenge to his transcription "Strauss Fantasy".
Sokolov Live at the Berlin Philharmonie
Grigory Sokolov (pf), Grammophon, 2013
Another selection from Sokolov's discs is his superb recital in Berlin, playing Schubert and Beethoven. Now I am strongly longing to go to his recital.

Since 2002/5/18 © SAKUMA Tetsuya