> I've heard all of the recordings you mention with the exception of
> Nikolayeva's eighth. I tend to evaluate Prokofiev performances in terms
of
> individual movements, and in some cases, individual movements.
> For a 7th that is even more intense than Pollini (if you can believe it),
> Petrov will knock your socks off. A truly psychotic vision - at least the
> first two movements. Unfortunately, this Melodya LP has never been
> transferred to CD AFAIK and this Holy Grail is extremely difficult to
find.
> Gilels is overpowering in the first movement of the eighth. No one
> expresses the wretched ironies with such anguish and bitterness as he
does.
> Richter's 6th sonata is sometimes as volatile as Petrov's 7th.
> One performance which shouldn't be missed, but only for an isolated
section
> of greatness, is Gavrilov's playing of the opening bars of the 3rd
movement
> of the 7th sonata. Calculating and relentless, he witholds a terrible
> power, and this power *held in check* is terrifying to behold and will
> induce panic in the listener. Beware! Now you will know what it is like
to
> be frozen in the approach of an oncoming tank.
> Another isolated movement: Lavar Berman's live recital, 3rd movement of
the
> 8th sonata. Hair-raising performance. Gavrilov is even faster, but there
> is no tension, no agitation, and therefore no excitement.
> -Max
> Andy Evans <arts.psychol...@cwcom.net> wrote in message
> news:T6SE4.2668$JM1.74816@news2-hme0...
> > Time for a periodic browse through the field.
> > Ovchinnikov - This is a really excellent set. Good tempos throughout,
like
> > Richter and Gilels, and unlike the infuriatingly variable Pletnev. Clean
> > technique, good attack and really funky rhythms.
> > Richter - Beyond criticism
> > Gould - His 7th is so like Richter it's spooky. Adoration? Imprinting?
> > Anyway, it's very good.
> > Gilels - Good but not great 2nd (Richter is terrific here). Very
> satisfying
> > 8th, though not better than Richter or Ovchinnikov.
> > Nikolayeva - 8th rather serious and rigid.
> > Pletnev - From magic to the bizarre. 2nd is good. 7th suffers from some
> > lethargic tempos. 8th has the most slinky, Hollywood exposition of the
> slow
> > movement theme on disc. Pure magic. Then just when you want him to rip
> into
> > the final movement he gets all deliberate again. What can one say...
> > Graffman - Enjoy his 2nd. A good Prokofiev pianist
> > Pollini - Very good 7th
> > Kissin - Enjoy his 6th
> > Pogorelic - Prefer his 6th on record. In the concert hall he can get
very
> > dreamy and un-worldly.
> > --
> > Andy Evans, e-mail: a...@artsandmedia.com
> > Visit our Website: www.artsandmedia.com
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