REVIEWS CDs, DVDs, Books, Concerts and the occasional Film
Ah yes, reviews. In the course of my travails it has come to pass that the odd CD arrives in the mail with a letter asking that I pass judgement. I find this a humbling request. It is not, as those of you who by now know me as a fellow of many opinions and not afraid to use them have reason to suspect, because I am in any way shy about saying what I think. Very little pleases me more than to do so. Rather, it is because so much depends on it.
To clarify, I do not for a moment believe that what I say in these pages will shake the earth. But until now I have been expressing opinions in larger contexts, that of discussing a number of differing interpretations of the same work, and that of lauding the wonderful pianists about whom, for whatever reason, I have chosen to write.
Reviews are much more personal. If I love what I hear, all is well. We fall right into the second of the two contexts enumerated above. But if I don't, then I will risk finding myself expressing opinions of a less than complimentary nature about a specific person for no other reason than that I am able to do so.
At the same time, I find the process most interesting, quite stimulating, and the very act of recording something for publication is tantamount to saying to the world at large, "Hey everybody, look at me. What do you think of my dress?"
I will therefore not shy away from the challenge. I will look, and I will speak of what I see. I will write reviews and I will endeavor to be as considerate as possible of those whose talents and accomplishments surpass by far my own.
Reviews of the following CDs will be appearing soon.
Jonathan Biss - Schubert Sonatas Piano Sonatas in C Major D 840 "Reliquie" and A Major D 959 Wigmore Hall Live 0030
Beth Levin - j.s. bach: the goldberg variations Bach The Goldberg Variations BWV 988 Centaur CRC 2927
Yuja Wang - Sonatas & Etudes Chopin Bb minor Sonata, Liszt B minor Sonata Scriabin G# minor Sonata, Ligeti Etudes 4 and 10 DG B0012534-02
