MARK FARAGO PLAYS-2
the piano music of Tchaikowsky, Mussorgsky, Scriabin, Medtner and Prokofiev

On this page, Mark Farago Plays-2, we have his recordings of piano music by some of the great Russian composers: Mussorgsky, Tchaikovsky, Medtner, Scriabin and Prokofiev.

The Mussorgsky Pictures and the last movement of Prokofiev's 7th sonata are taken at a very aggressive pace, and it works. The Pictures at an Exhibition, beautiful as the work is, can drag in spots. Mark Farago's performance makes it fresh and exciting, it moves, and it may become my favorite interpretation of this piece. The Precipitato movement of the Prokofiev 7th is the most thrilling performance of this music I have ever heard. It leaves me breathless.

The big surprise is the way Mark Farago plays of the Fairy Tales by Nikolai Medtner, his favorite composer, incidentally. The music comes to life, it sparkles, and a composer I had previously relegated, in these very pages, to the second rank must be rethought. I will add these recordings to the Medtner page as well, and you will be able to do the comparison for yourselves. I am giddy with excitement.

Tchaikovsky October: "Autumn's Song"
n°10 from "The Seasons" Op.37b
Recorded live in 2003







Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition
Recorded live in 2003


Promenade - Gnomus - Promenade - The Old castle






Promenade - Tuileries: Children quarrelling after play - Bydlo
Promenade - Ballett of the unhatched chicks






Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuyle - Limoges - Catacombae:
Sepulchrum Romanum - Con mortuis in lingua mortua






Baba Yaga - The Great Gate of Kiev







Scriabin Etude in C# minor Op 2 n°1
Recorded live in 2006







Scriabin Feuillet d'album Op 58
Recorded live in 2006







Scriabin Sonata n°7 Op 64 "White Mass"
Recorded live in 2003


Part I






Part II







Scriabin Sonata n°10 Op 70
Recorded live in 2006


Part I






Part II







Medtner Fairy Tales Op 20
Recorded live 2007


n°1 in B flat minor






n°2 in B minor "Campanella"







Medtner Fairy Tale Op 26 n°3 in F minor
Recorded live 2007







Medtner Fairy Tale Op 34 n°2 in E minor
Recorded live 2007







Medtner Fairy Tale Op 42 n°1 in F minor "Russian Tale"
Recorded live 2007







Medtner Fairy Tale Op 48 n°2 in G minor "Fairy Tale of the Elves"
Recorded live 2007







Medtner Fairy Tale Op 51 n°2 in A minor
Recorded live 2007







Prokofiev 10 Pieces from Romeo and Juliet Op 75
Recorded live in 2003


I Folk Dance - II Scene III - Minuet






IV Juliet as a young girl - V Masks






VI Montagues and Capulets






VII Friar Laurence - VIII Mercutio - IX Dance of the girls with the lilies






X Romeo and Juliet before parting







Prokofiev Piano Sonata n°7 in Bb Major Op 83
Recorded in 1994


i Allegro inquieto






ii Andante caloroso






iii Precipitato









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of the music played by Mark Farago

or find CD's of this music at ArkivMusic and CD Universe and hbdirect , and scores of these and other works for Piano at Piano Sheet Music


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