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Freddy Kempf has previously recorded ten highly acclaimed solo discs for BIS, of which the latest (BISSACD1820) was described by Gramophone as “a formidable programme formidably played… This is “live” virtuosity with a vengeance, with absolutely no hint of a safety net”.
Rachmaninov’s Corelli Variations is inspired by the theme used by Corelli in his violin sonata La Follia which undergoes a radical pianistic treatment taking it through all the sonic and atmospheric possibilities offered by the instrument.
With his celebrated transcription of Bach’s Chaconne, Ferruccio Busoni had a very different aim, wanting to shed new light on the work without actually changing it.
Ravel’s collection of waltzes was composed as a nod to Schubert and in it Ravel shows the range of his musical palette.
Stravinsky’s Three movements from Petrushka is the composer’s arrangement of music from his own ballet, commissioned by Arthur Rubinstein.
Sergei Rachmaninov: Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Op. 42
Theme: Andante
Variation 1: Poco piu mosso
Variation 2: L'istesso tempo
Variation 3: Tempo di menuetto
Variation 4: Andante
Variation 5: Allegro (ma non tanto)
Variation 6: L'istesso tempo
Variation 7: Vivace
Variation 8: Adagio misterioso
Variation 9: Un poco piu mosso
Variation 10: Allegro scherzando
Variation 11: Allegro vivace
Variation 12: L'istesso tempo
Variation 13: Agitato
Intermezzo
Variation 14: Andante (come prima)
Variation 15: L'istesso tempo
Variation 16: Allegro vivace
Variation 17: Meno mosso
Variation 18: Allegro con brio
Variation 19: Piu mosso, Agitato
Variation 20: Piu mosso
Coda: Andante
Ferruccio Busoni: Violin Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004 (arr. F. Busoni)
Violin Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004: V. Chaconne (arr. F. Busoni)
Maurice Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales (version for piano)
I. Modere, tres franc
II. Assez lent, avec une expression intense
III. Modere
IV. Assez anime
V. Presque lent, dans un sentiment intime
VI. Vif
VII. Moins vif
VIII. Epilogue: Lent
Igor Stravinsky: 3 Movements from Petrushka
No. 1. Danse russe (Russian Dance)
No. 2. Chez Petrouchka (Petrushka's Cell)
No. 3. La semaine grasse (The Shrove-tide Fair)
April 2011
“Kempf follows [Bach's] text faithfully, allowing each variation to shape the movement without sounding forced...[He] shows an impressive range of organ-like colour along with a pointillism that suits quick passages well...The scene of 'Shrove-Tide Fair' is a roller-coaster ride under Kempff's fingers, driven by a motoric energy that many pianists would find difficult to sustain over eight-and-a-half minutes.”
June 2011
****
“this is a colourful and enjoyable account [of Petrushka], well-characterised and full of dynamic contrast...fans of Kempf need have no qualms about acquiring this release.”
July 2011
“In Rachmaninov's Corelli Variations, Kempf distinguishes himself for assiduous, well-integrated tempo relationships between movements, and the easy command and intelligent, symphonically orientated delineation with which he shapes the composer's thick textures...Kempf's glittering technique, supple touch and extroverted demeanour in Stravinsky's Three Movements from Petrushka bring out the music's balletic roots”
July 2011
****
“Kempf opens with a beautifully-voiced and judiciously-paced view of Rachmaninov's Variations...he finds a meltingly silvery touch for the Ravel Valses (exquisite) before a return to the Russian repertoire that he plays so well, leaving us, thrillingly, in no doubt that the piano is a percussive instrument.”
london24.com
17th June 2011
“Kempf’s command of the immense pianistic range to be found in Rachmaninov’s keyboard music clearly has few equals, and this set delivers at a stroke several jaw-dropping performances”
Click on any of the works listed above for alternative recordings.
Theme: Andante
