William Kapell Edition Vol 4: Prokofiev: Piano concerto no. 3 / Khachaturian: Piano concerto / Shostakovich: Preludes for piano

Great performance, awefull recording!

I've bought 1200+ cds through Amazon and have only written one other review because of nostalgia. I felt inclined to write this so folks know that the quality of the recording couldn't be much worse. I have numerous recordings from the 20s and 30s that sound much better. There is a terrible amount of hissing/static on this cd.

The other reviewers stated the truth and as far as the performance went they said it all, the performance was awesome but I couldn't get by the noise and couldn't enjoy the music. May be good for historical reference though? Anyway I was dissapointed that the folks who raved about this recording didn't say anything, they should have. LOL February 1, 2008

uncomparable

The bravura, power, strenth, energy, virtuosity of the pianio in Khachaturian concerto is simply unbeliveble. Surprisingly to me, there are also moments full of poetry and nostalgia in second part.
And the orchesta with the Kusewicki - this is really strong support, and - despite the age of the recording - the details are quite well audible (I know Naxos edition, they made wonders!)
Simply amazing!
One of the greatest piano concerto recording I have ever heard (not the same with the concerto). Two great artists inspired to its heights by each other!
To comparision I know only another version of the piece - with Kapell again - the one with Ormady. The orchestra is not as marvelous as Boston. February 13, 2007

Khachaturian/Prokofiev concertos

This is one of the the best Khachaturian and Prokofiev recordings ever!
Tiroui January 9, 2007

The Kachaturian Piano Concerto belongs to William Kapell!

Please do not waste your time and money searching another other performance of Kachaturian . This is by far , the supreme jewel in the musical universe since its first release in 1945 in vynil .
Kapell simply was far beyond of being inspired , he threw over the concert and literally explored every little detail , you will feel the anxiety , the nostalgia , the delirium , the caucasion moods , the unbetable rage and the most passionated lyricism ever made in this concert .
And despite Koussevitzky with The Boston Symphony makes a great team . This orchestra , gifted with such tonal color , his strings and brass ; cellos and counterbass , winds and metals were simply a real tour de force .
The rapport was inmediat and this recording became in the hitherto of the Kachaturian Piano Concerto .
Believe me I ve heard this work since 1973 and not least than three hundred times . Its frenetic intensity , its febrile majesty and vibrating erotism is absolutely overpowered .
The Prokoviev is very interesting though I find it too fast in the first movement and somehow this hyperkinetism may work out if you do not know for instance the Samson Francois version in which S.F. articulates lyricism and powerful .
But despite this last commentary about the Third , the record is fundamental for you to acquire the essential and more astonishing performance of this Concerto .
October 26, 2004

Genius

William Kapell on this CD played with an incomparible fire. Both piano concertos are beautifull pieces and were fully realized on this album as great works of music. June 5, 2004

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