imagemap

- Great Pianists of the 20th Century Vol. 65 -
DINU LIPATTI

with Nadia Boulanger piano (Brahms) · The Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Herbert von Karajan (Grieg) · Alceo Galliera (Schumann)

PHILIPS Classics 456 892-2
2 discs [78'36" + 77'14"] budget-price

Compilation of recordings spanning the pianist's entire recording career

by Soo Kian Hing

Contents

CD1:
J.S. Bach (1684-1750): Partita in B-flat BWV 825
W.A. Mozart (1756-1791): Piano Sonata in A minor, KV 310
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): Waltzes, Op.30 (excerpts)*
Frederic Chopin (1810-1849): Piano Sonata in B minor, Op.58 Barcarolle in F sharp, Op.60
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937): Alborada del gracioso from Miroirs

CD2:
Robert Schumann (1810-1856): Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.54
Edvard Grieg (1843-1907): Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.16
Franz Schubert (1797-1828): Impromptu in G flat, D899 no.2 Impromptu in E flat, D899 no.2
Frederic Chopin (1810-1849): Nocturne in D flat Op.27 no.2
J.S. Bach (trans. Hess): "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring"

Philips Classics has recently launched the series Great Pianists of the 20th Century, compiling recordings of the top (74) pianists to have appeared in this century, totalling 200 CDs to be released over the next few years. I must say, the golden-brown packaging is among the most attractive that I've come across. And 200 CDs honouring the best piano recordings of this century... imagine!

The fact that Dinu Lipatti has been chosen to be one of the most memorable pianists in this century is no coincidence. Though his career was drastically cut short when he died of leukaemia at only 33 years old, his individual and personal style, coupled with a formidable understanding of the works that he performed, left a legacy that few modern-day pianists can match.

I have covered most of the works in The Last Recital and also the two Schubert Impromptus on the second disc in earlier reviews; the exceptions being Bach's Partita, which in this collection has been taken from a studio recording made two months before his last recital in Besancon; and Mozart's Piano Sonata in A minor, taken from a recording done in 1947. Understandably the stunning electricity of that final "live" performance is tangibly lacking in these recordings, but Lipatti is remarkably consistent in terms of style, hence in this review I would be concentrating on the recordings found on the second disc.


Schumann's Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.54 was completed in 1845, and the following year his wife Clara Wieck gave the first performance. This concerto has become very popular, notably for its drama and romance, and its melodies and harmonies that lie easy on the ears. Yet, given its fantasy-like nature, this piece is first and foremost a piece written in classical form.

Lipatti once again displays his powerful and sure playing, but his understanding of the formal architecture of the piece brings depth and authority, giving an overall convincing interpretation without excessively romanticising. Without giving the listener any feeling of being self-indulgent, he is yet able to make the giant opening chords leap, and draw tenderness from the more expressive sections, leaving his unforgettable personal stamp on this concerto.

In the second movement, Lipatti takes the listener into an intimate world where the orchestra and the soloist hold a flowing-and-ebbing conversation. The pianist's understanding of the musical structure and unstoppable drive is most evident in the third movement, where he shapes the many lead-ins and bridge passages with finesse and a sense of direction. The movement builds up with increasing complexity, aided by Lipatti's uncompromising runs and strong rhythm, urging the listener on to the triumphant major-key finale.

Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor Op.16 is considered by many to be a musically inferior, albeit inspired, version of Schumann's own Concerto in A minor. Having a very similar architecture to the latter concerto, Grieg's concerto nevertheless poses a technical challenge to the pianist, filled with crowd-wowing arpeggios and over-the-top, sweeping grace notes interposed between the notes of the chromatic theme. Indeed, this concerto makes for an excellent showpiece for the virtuoso soloist.

Edvard Grieg Lipatti's shaping and direction of the piece, however, does not allow for any sprawling romantic virtuoso playing. Instead, his powerful technical control enables him to take this concerto effortlessly without any showy finger-twisting bravura. This gives him the space needed to develop the thoughts and meanings behind the simple but endearing opening theme (its reprises in various forms so often clouded by glittering waves of ornamentation under other pianists). To the point where the virtuosic writing risks seeming almost underrated, what comes across is a clean and crisp distillation stripped bare of tortuous (and torturous) bravura playing. The simple expressivity that Lipatti is capable of heightens this concerto to a new peak of sensitivity: just listen to the chorale-like second movement for an example of how this languid idyll can be built up to a ground-shaking intensity.

The main drawback, evident from these two concerti, is the quality of orchestral sound that has been sacrificed to restore the soloist's playing: a necessary evil for remastering historic recordings. At times the orchestra may sound distorted and flat (especially during certain oboe solos where the poor instrument is reduced to a jarring squeak); fortunately most of the time its warmth and expressivity has been adequately preserved to match Lipatti. The excellence of the orchestra and the conductors is not lost either - just take for instance the opening orchestral section in the second movement of Grieg's concerto.


The quality of recording in Chopin's Nocturne in D flat Op.27 no.2 is considerably inferior to the others, with static becoming audible at the volume needed to hear all the notes. Yet, listeners should thank their lucky stars that this piece has been included, for it reveals the beauty and poetry that matches Lipatti with Chopin, phrase by phrase, showcasing the sensitivity of the pianist's touch. Never using too much rubato (which Chopin himself did not approve of, to the point where he purportedly trained his pupils using a metronome), Lipatti lets the melody drift above the gently lapping left hand, just like the tranquil moon shining against the dark night sky - the perfect realisation of a nocturne.

Dinu Lipatti A chorale from Bach's Cantata No.147 has been transcribed for solo piano under its famous title "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" by Dame Myra Hess (1890-1965), herself a much-celebrated pianist. Though this popular transcription looks simple on the score, it is not easy on the fingers. Yet again, Lipatti's formidable technique allows him the necessary space for fully expressing the inner beauty of a piece. Amongst his extremely even triplets which carry the harmony, one hears the crotchet inner voices, singing so clearly and distinctly as characteristic of Lipatti's contrapuntal playing (listen to his Bach Partita). On top of that, one gets a sense of bliss that seemingly flows naturally from his effortless playing; the slower, more tranquil voices interpose with the perpetuum-mobile harmony to create an indescribable sense of inner peace.

The quiet after this last track seems almost sacred; perhaps a fitting epitaph for the musician who has transcended music and soul, life and death. Eight words: Lipatti has to be heard to be believed.


In Singapore, Philips records can be easily found or ordered from Sing Discs (Raffles City), Tower (Pacific Plaza and Suntec City), Borders (Wheelock Place) or HMV (The Heeren).

Soo Kian Hing has rounded up his three-part tribute to Lipatti... hope everyone has enjoyed reading it as much as he had writing it. And, oh, of course he has immensely enjoyed listening to Lipatti too....

Click to Return to the Classical Index!...
or Visit the Inkvault archives!

311: 12.10.1998

Explore the Flying Inkpot

They're Alive!
Concert Reviews

Bit deadish:

Other Resources at The Flying Inkpot
Zine Scene Newslinks Movie Resources Booklinks
Chantelle L'amour Letters Page Inkvault Poetry
Home
LIPATTI

Dinu LIPATTI An Inktroduction

Dinu LIPATTI Great Pianists of the 20th Century Vol.65 (Philips)

Dinu LIPATTI The Last Recital (EMI Références)

Dinu LIPATTI plays Brahms, Chopin, Liszt, Ravel & Enescu (EMI Références).

 

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Readers' Comments


From: fedww ( / Friday, March 30, 2007 at 18:44:51)

tisch gefrieren vergleich krankenversicherung gesetzlich internet phone company hamburg filmverleih frivol mode wireless internet service urlaub hund eifel billigflug berlin zuerich sprachkurs malta kanada reise urlaub bauernhof holland zinsen finanzierung privat rente hausfrau wrangler jeans blau berufsunfaehigkeit kuendigung kfz mechanik stativ digitalkamera schnupfen baby ausgefallene strumpfhose sparkasse dispokredit zins drachen china techniker forum%2ede koffer reise sfakaki kreta urlaub urlaub reise tourismus kredit schufafreie kredit trabrennen hamburg dusche ebenerdig rsc karton lebensmittelkontrolle gesundheit wellness hessen auspuff devil vw lt 55 laser drucker typo3 online marketing sweat shirt gestreift shirt stickerei reise wissen flug pauschal urlaub blanes englisch weiterbildung body massage zeitungsbericht vw spiess schuhe katalysator nachruesten s oliver armbanduhr stellwand hamburg suedafrika bilder leipzig hotel buchen kaefer volkswagen audi tt ersatzteil schlafanzug baby tisch verzinkt volkswagen jahreswagen wolfsburg weiterbildung pdl hamburg geschenk taufe originell geschenk silberhochzeit gepflegter urlaub free internet service tisch oval buche altphilologie fachhochschule online reise buchen kredit sozialhilfe vw club nrw kredit hausbau schufafrei geschenk geburtstag zustellung deko schleife abnehmen pille diaet bkk mobil konsument kredit internet marketing idea krankenversicherung buerger ukraine urlaub oben ohne vw polo 9n kredit suisse visa bohrer metabo bwl rendite kredit arbeitslos luxemburg rutsche online power ranger online wellness luxushotel deutschland baufinanzierung or immobilienfinanzierung laser behandlungen accommodation thailand wellness hotel reitunterricht utilities paket

From: ew32 ( / Friday, March 30, 2007 at 18:45:05)

urlaub kinderermaessigung transatlantische lebensversicherung fachhochschule weingarten kfz ladegeraet agency kredit equifax hamburg spd auto ratenkredit selbststaendig bergbau china blech laser hamburg kurzschluss erlangen massage englischkurs anfaenger kredit schnell diskret thai ingwer internet t mobile hamburg wasserbau piercing schmuck online urlaub naehe hamburg cholera hamburg sued wohnung urlaub flachland kredit schufafrei 3500 geld vergleich kredit reise belize tennisschlaeger online proclear kontaktlinse berlin apartment bassetti tischdecke wohnraum berlin vw sharan navi zins guenstigste arztpraxis darlehen kanarische insel reise preis hotel venedig kredit finanzierung bargeld ruegen urlaub immobilie frau geschenkidee hamburg grundschule vw caravelle hauptstadtkongress medizin gesundheit schweiz baufinanzierung autofinanzierung online skript finanzierung bankkonto de a4 handzettel eigentumswohnung berlin privat abendschule rostock authorized wrangler hotel mathis paris scanner kasse geschenk abitur finanzierung kredit raeumlichkeiten hamburg sozialpaedagogik weiterbildung bild flirt kfz steuersatz ingwer pferd engel kongress korea sonderpreis koffer verschicken sabbat shirt kredit hausfrau arbeitslos krankenversicherung beitragssatz freital ausbildung kosmetik billig fliegen berlin bestimmtes geschenk sauna begleitung ideal lebensversicherung goa klamotten einstieg abi kfz aufbereitung stellenangebot buchhaltung schlauch aquastop vw kaefer farbpalette meran wellness hotel online kredit schufafrei turnhalle hamburg hansgrohe atoll gedicht engel hamburg vegetation gesundheit umwelteinfluss digital camera software rollstuhlfahrer dusche verkauf einer lebensversicherung guenstig unterkunft ostsee stadtviertel hamburg vw passat dauertest billigflug basel berlin kredit hypothekenpfandbrief zinssatz china vorbereitung urlaub krankheit freie berufe krankenversicherung engel kostuem reise litauen stativ kugelgelenk karneval flirt faule kredite ausbildung schreiner miele waschmaschine leckt vw kaefer kaufen garten baumschule welt homoeopathie daimler chrysler berlin chemikalien online pauschalangebot hamburg weiterbildung kostenrechnung caterpillar schuhe wellness garmisch partenkirchen infrarot sauna kabinen schuhe silber stiefel belstaff verlobung geschenk infrarot sauna kabinen online entwicklung

From: ew32 ( / Friday, March 30, 2007 at 18:45:14)

isdn internet komplettpaket vw caddy trenngitter kultusministerium hamburg checkliste weiterbildunsginteressierte spezialitaeten china lateinamerikanischen kontakt berlin england shirt freizeitpark halter internet einsteiger ariane schuhe orange schuhe ausbildung heilpraktiker kosten internet telefonie birkenstock schuhe finanzierung immobilie verbraucherverband hamburg gezeiten hamburg badezimmer bild kredit darlehen online muttertag geschenk sandalette s oliver zimmer berlin feminine mode high heel pumps baufinanzierung vergleich mehrfamilienhaus abnehmen trennkost reise signal krankenversicherung vergleich britische lebensversicherung tuning vw lupo bad nenndorf niedersachsen kalorientabelle online abnehmen kuendigung lebensversicherung formular berufsunfaehigkeit zusatzversicherung fehlender mitwirkung krankenversicherung edelstahl balkon quad umfallen training personal urlaub winter thailand kissen laser segelboot sofort kredit rentner palisade hamburg hamburg tierpark sozialpaedagogik abendstudium hamburg wien einflugschneise hamburg anonym surfen internet deutsch internet apotheke privat krankenkasse beihilfe computer internet conrad heisser engel computer internet multimedia eisenbahn berlin abnehmen diaet schiebetuer glas discothek hamburg motor klassik sauna befinden vw tuning de renovieren wohnen entspannung pur gefaehrdungsbeurteilung schlauch hamburg arbeitgeber privat krankenversicherung hamburg netzwerk internet bauch training reise oktober pension berlin tiergarten deko kranz garten dekorieren kontrollleuchte vw abs neutral transport katalysator hersteller urlaub november 2006 hilfsarbeiter hamburg beauty gesundheit kredit lehrling diamant armband led lampe foto funktion klimaanlage vw t3 bus mode taifun internet access alert sofortkredit buerge tolerante sauna pauschal urlaub islantilla internet marketing mittelstand strumpfhose mama gemaelde engel abnehmen kapsel katalysator hersteller

From: gtfrc ( / Thursday, May 10, 2007 at 18:34:25)

ambien long term side effects pfizer viagra for woman oxycontin drug damage lamisil liver ambien package insert levitra milf meridia online ordering long term effects of neurontin meridia litigation promethazine codeine insulin resistance and hair loss breast feeding paxil purchase neurontin help klonopin withdrawl paxil prozac zoloft iv lasix push drug effects lipitor side buy now viagra lamisil effects doxycycline for ocular rosacea cheap effexor online accutane proven result nashville oxycontin lawyer 3592 vicodin affect effexor side xraccutane florida lawyer buy amoxil buy buy online price viagra viagra viagradrugs.net buy cheap deal online viagra viagra viagradrugs.net buy hydrocodone overnight woman taking viagra food insulin resistance supplement clomid hcg injection result cod hydrocodone pharmacy connect.to link online vicodin oxycontin 512 oxycontin snort oxycontin online tylenol 3 extraction codeine pill zithromax insulin pump pouch viagra in woman nexium 40 cheap discount viagra viagradrugs.net norvasc side effect 105 phendimetrazine clomid and miscarriage buy easy hydrocodone online way 5 500 apap hydrocodone tab vicodin withdrawl symptom cialis sale online insulin pump review purchase percocet online discount ambien best.optus.nu buy hydrocodone site estradiol level vicodin withdrawal what help buying online viagra percocet 10mg cheapest tramadol online ephedrine based diet pill

From: replica watches (omegawatchessale@omegawatchessale.com / Friday, June 4, 2010 at 09:00:20)

Eastern Europe "from its headquarters in the eastern cheap watchesnew watch tatarstan company located in Lithuania factory independent country, its history can be traced back in 1942, the company began after the war machines wear watches's have never completely from military enterprise under the background of the company in 1965,it was awarded the military with the official list of Soviet defensecheap replica watches suppliers, supply the professional watch. The success of the company decided to create any idea: in any environment temperature, pressure, and the wind to keep accurate suddenly mechanical watches.

From: replica handbags (mdo@gmail.com / Monday, July 26, 2010 at 15:24:01)

chanel gucci hermes louis vuitton discount handbags vertu phones designer handbags reviews replica handbags replica phones vertu replica tag heuer phone mobiado cartier-phones goldvish rolex mobile porsche phone replica blackberry iphone replica

From: shely (hxj@126.com / Monday, August 2, 2010 at 16:59:15)

It's a interesting news,i like it.Additionally,wellcome to my website oboots.There are so many cheap ugg boots such as: ugg ukuggs on salecheap ugg bootsugg classic boots ugg bailey button|ugg bailey button boots|ugg argyle knit|ugg argyle knit boots|ugg cardy|ugg classic cardy boots|ugg crochet|ugg crochet boots|ugg flower|ugg flower boots|ugg leopard|ugg leopard boots|UGG Classic Tall Leopard|UGG Classic Tall Leopard boots|ugg mini|ugg classic mini boots|ugg paisley|ugg paisley boots|UGG Classic Short Paisley|UGG Classic Short Paisley boots|UGG Short Paisley|UGG Short Paisley boots|ugg short|ugg classic short boots|ugg tall|ugg classic tall boots|ugg elsey wedge|ugg elsey wedge boots|ugg infants erin|ugg infants erin boots|ugg langley|ugg langley boots|ugg lo pro|ugg lo pro boots|ugg locarno|ugg locarno boots|ugg mayfaire|ugg mayfaire boots|ugg nightfall|ugg nightfall boots|ugg rainier eskimo|ugg rainier eskimo boots|UGG Sundance II|UGG Sundance II boots|ugg ultimate bind|ugg ultimate bind boots|ugg ultra short|ugg ultra short boots|ugg ultra tall|ugg ultra tall boots|ugg suede|ugg suede boots|ugg upside|ugg upside boots|ugg roxy|ugg roxy boots|ugg seline|ugg seline boots|ugg corinth wedge|ugg corinth wedge boots|ugg liberty|ugg liberty boots|ugg highkoo|ugg highkoo boots|ugg knightsbridge|ugg knightsbridge boots|ugg bomber jacket|ugg bomber jacket boots|ugg adirondack|ugg adirondack boots|ugg suburb crochet|ugg suburb crochet boots|UGG Roseberry Suede|UGG Roseberry Suede Boots|UGG Smithfield Tall|UGG Smithfield Tall Boots|UGG Gaviota|UGG Gaviota Boots|UGG Brookfield Tall|UGG Brookfield Tall Boots|UGG Ashur|UGG Ashur Boots|UGG Cove|UGG Cove Boots|UGG Desoto|UGG Desoto Boots|UGG Shoreline|UGG Shoreline Boots|UGG Tess|UGG Tess Boots|UGG High Heel Tall|UGG High Heel Tall Boots|UGG Caroline|UGG Caroline Boots|UGG Stella|UGG Stella Boots|UGG Swell Tall|UGG Swell Tall Boots|UGG Men's Brookfield|UGG Men's Brookfield Boots| ugg boots|uggs on sale|cheap ugg boots|ugg size guide| There are so much style of cheap ugg boots,so once you go to my website you will be very surprise.

From: ascscascasc (ascsadvdsf@wsdsa.com / Monday, August 16, 2010 at 15:46:03)

Wholesale Clothing China Korean Fashion Korean Wholesale Clothing Wholesale Clothing Distributors Korean Clothes Wholesale Korean Fashion Wholesale Wholesale Korean Clothes China Clothing Wholesale Korea Wholesale Korean Dress China Fashion Wholesale Wholesale China Clothing Korean Clothing Wholesale Wholesale Korean Fashion Chinese Wholesale Clothes

From: xiaopohai (xiaopohai769@gmail.com / Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 15:48:02)

xiao101

Louis vuitton outlet export-led fashionable avant-courier of traditional technology under the premise of luxury leather, louis vuitton online has focused on the best quality of commercial Louis vuitton handbags, more than 5 welcome. Enjoy free shipping desigenr lv bag, on an guatantee. Louis vuitton sale by 2010.

xiao101

The coach outlet store manager luxurious lifestyle export handbag. To find the best choice and coach bags in here! We provide the best collection of the coach handbags and the best price, including shipping handbag. Welcome to enjoy coach sunglass, cheap and discount wholesale and retail channels, coach store online, much less ones. Discount sale manager bag.

xiao101 You will see many people worn Supra shoes when you walk in the street, this is the trend of this year. Supras Footwear has really taken over the skate shoes world in a relatively short amount of time, going from near obscurity to stardom almost overnight. If you are looking for Supra Footwear, Streamlined?Supra Skytop II?on a vulcanized outsole. The unique design and brand positioning will be an alternative fashion, aesthetic, fashion, alternative, and the Supra Skytop shoes combination of skateboarding, it has become a pop culture brand. Brand new, original package and top quality. Free shipping fast deliver to your door. xiao101 On the Fall/Winter 2009-2010 RTW runway, a multi-functional transparent Chanel Bags, which can hold the perfume, cosmetics, sunglasses etc, is more and more dazzlingly brilliant and has gained the reputation of the stylists. If you happen to be desirous to a transparent chanel 2.55 bags, this one is exactly your best choice. From Chanel Outlet. The Man Playing Guitar, he designed the black and white version of chanel Handbags 2010 and made it stand out in the Spring Summer 2009 collection. For Chanel handbags, welcome to our store. xiao101 This Russian History Jewel Symbols Boiled Gucci outlet Clutch are available in two classic colors-black and white, these adorned with jewels and symbols are the representatives of Russian history. This sophisticated classic Gucci Bags features the Chanel signature jewely symbols on the front flap. For more information, welcome to gucci handbags 2010 .comprised of two limited edition nail enamels¡ª"Jade" and "Jade Rose", made a retail debut on September 10th at the gucci classic in New York City in celebration of Vogue¡¯s Fashion Night Out. For more information, welcome to Gucci outlet online .

From: replica jewelry (gaolinkeji@163.com / Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 10:45:08)

juicy couture earrings a new moon Monday night, piaget replica which meant the sky would tiffany key ring be nice and dark after omega constellation double eagle midnight. In general, there tiffany diamond rings are more shooting stars in Rolex Sports Air King