Szymanowski Sonatas
£6.99 – £9.50
Clarke’s CD of Shostakovich (23018) would always be very hard to beat in terms of sheer skill, precision and excitement. However with this amazing recital he surpassed himself. The critics’ remarks tell it all.
Included in GRAMOPHONE‘s “Critics’ Choice” of the best recordings issued in 1999.
Track Listing
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Karol Szymanowski:
- Piano Sonata no, 1 in C minor, op. 8 - I. Allegro moderato (6:58)
- Piano Sonata no, 1 in C minor, op. 8 - II. Adagio (5:32)
- Piano Sonata no, 1 in C minor, op. 8 - III. Tempo di minuetto (4:13)
- Piano Sonata no, 1 in C minor, op. 8 - IV. Adagio - Allegro energico (9:55)
- Prelude and Fugue in C sharp minor - I. Prelude (2:42)
- Prelude and Fugue in C sharp minor - II. Fugue in 4 Voices (3:32)
- Piano Sonata no.2 in A major, op. 21 - I. Allegro assai (7:41)
- Piano Sonata no. 2 in A major, op. 21 - II. Theme with variations and fugue (16:03)
- Piano Sonata no. 3, op. 36 (15:50)
Reviews
“[Clarke] is second to none in terms of sensibility and keyboard command. His version of the First Sonata is particularly convincing. Good recording.
”
“Szymanowski strives for a Wagnerian amplitude of texture, surging relentlessly across the keyboard … The levitation of such a rich – superrich – art requires nothing less than a pianistic superman. While Raymond Clarke’s debut recording of Ronald Stevenson’s epic Passacaglia on DSCH (a virtual compendium of the pianist’s art…) and subsequent triumphant tilts at […]
” —Adrian Corleonis
““Critics’ Choice” recording 1999 Raymond Clarke chose it [Sonata No.3] for his graduation recital 12 years ago and for his broadcasting début, so it obviously means a lot to him, and in this remarkable performance he demonstrates it to be an extraordinary piece … the concluding fugue … should sound like the obvious and inevitable […]
” —Adrian Corleonis
“Raymond Clarke illumines even the most dense Szymanowskian textures … Clarke is a splendidly articulate advocate, lending especial clarity to the massive opening allegro and fraughter variations of No.2; and the concert hall acoustic is strikingly true to life.
” —Roderic Dunnett
“Raymond Clarke is a staggering pianist of exceptional gifts … Raymond Clarke’s performances are almost breathtaking … irresistible.
” —David Wright
