Musicalifeiten

Quite unnoticed, Divine Art’s series of Russian piano music has reached part 14. Earlier attention was paid to the rather unknown Vladimir Rebikov (part 2). But this is about Prokofiev with some of his not-so-obvious piano works.

The performance has been entrusted to the young Italian pianist Stefania Argentieri. It is striking that for her debut recording she has chosen compositions by Prokofiev. But it soon turns out that she has a lot of affinity with his idiom. Most surprising here, temperamentally played like a fire devil is Suggestion diabolique which she completes within three minutes. By way of contrast, this is contrasted by the touchy, abstract Piano Sonatas no. 1 and 6, and the few ballet moments from Cinderella which are more lighthearted. The few études contain more serious material, as befits study exercises.

As far as I am concerned, she will be well able to include on a future recording the Visions fugitives, Op. 22 or the Sarcasms, Op.17, material for which she seems predestined. 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