Russian Piano Music vol. 14 – Prokofiev
This is the second album in the Russian Piano series devoted to Prokofiev and includes his first and sixth Sonatas and other works demonstrating his wide ranging soundworld. His eclecticism has enabled him as a very ‘serious’ composer of post-Romantic, neo-tonal works – often modernistic and at times aggressive – to be appreciated by a wider general audience than many of his contemporaries.
Stefania Argentieri is a young Italian pianist of consummate skill, necessary to give full expression to the music of Prokofiev. She has won many awards and has performed at prestigious events in Europe and the USA. She teaches at the Giordano Conservatory in Foggia and is also working as a music editor. Stefania has made recordings with her chamber ensemble and this is her first solo album, no doubt one of many for someone who has the brightest of futures.
Track Listing
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Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953):
- Six Pieces from Cinderella - I. Waltz - Cinderella and the Prince (7:29)
- Six Pieces from Cinderella - II. Cinderella's Variation (1:36)
- Six Pieces from Cinderella - III. The Quarrel (3:34)
- Six Pieces from Cinderella - IV. Waltz - Cinderella goes to the Ball (3:07)
- Six Pieces from Cinderella - V. Pas de Chale (4:46)
- Six Pieces from Cinderella - VI. Amoroso (4:52)
- Piano Sonata No. 6 in A major, Op. 82 - I. Allegro moderato (9:38)
- Piano Sonata No. 6 in A major, Op. 82 - II. Allegretto (5:10)
- Piano Sonata No. 6 in A major, Op. 82 - III. Temp di valzer, lentissimo (8:38)
- Piano Sonata No. 6 in A major, Op. 82 - IV. Vivace (8:03)
- Piano Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 1
- Four Etudes, Op. 2 - No. 1 in D minor (2:45)
- Four Etudes, Op. 2 - No. 2 in E minor (2:38)
- Four Etudes, Op. 2 - No. 3 in C minor (4:19)
- Four Etudes, Op. 2 - No. 4 in C minor (1:50)
- Suggestion Diabolique, Op. 4 No. 4 (2:54)
Reviews
“Young Italian pianist Stefania Argentieri makes a strong impression with both her technical confidence and her interpretive flexibility, providing confident, high-contrast performances that are more varied in perspective than those of many competitors in this repertoire. She certainly knows how to mine the Romantic underpinnings of this music and she can sing out Prokofiev’s lyricism with disarming. But there’s nothing weak about the playing: the climaxes are solid, the technical challenges surmounted. Argentieri shows herself to be a newcomer well worth your attention.
” —Peter J., Rabinowitz
“This is Argentieri’s first solo recording, and she shows considerable potential… Argentieri manages all of the demands for an effective presentation with an excellent understanding of the music.
” —James Harrington
“Argentieri demonstrates a true command of this daunting repertoire, meeting the challenges with apparent ease. [Prokofiev’s] continual quest for freedom from typical 19th-century styles resulted in a particular eclecticism, clearly evident in this attractive program.
” —Richard Haskell
“It soon turns out that Argentieri has a lot of affinity with [Prokofiev’s] idiom. She has the necessary muscle strength and good vision and the fact that she sometimes uses some rubato enhances the melodic character of her playing.
” —Jan de Kruijff
“With this recording we see many sides of Prokofiev, and fortunately so does young Stefania Argentieri, who is able to adjust her interpretive approach to capture these varied aspects quite effectively. This is as fine a rendering of [the Sixth] sonata as I’ve heard in the twenty-five or so recordings of it that I possess. Kudos to Ms. Argentieri. The sound reproduction on this recording is excellent, the piano sound particularly rich and detailed. This recording is a real bargain showcasing a new talent who has much to say in Prokofiev’s brilliant music. Her Sixth is particular is outstanding.
” —Robert Cummings
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