Buy “This illuminating and sensuous pianism evident even in the most resounding fortissimos, making virile a discourse that is all too often watered down; prodigious pianism of fiery energy, of dynamic articulation, élan and fullness – that dominates and towers over the competition from now on – and constitutes the disc that most approaches Barber’s piano music and becomes as well a summation and an event.” –Repertoire Magazine, Paris, France “In his hands the Sonata (Samuel Barber’s Sonata) is powerfully driven and crisply articulated, creating a palpable sense of raw energy and excitement.” –Gramaphone, London, England “Pollack embraces the Sonata (Samuel Barber’s Sonata) wholeheartedly using deep resources and myriad details. The lighter material he imbues with elegance.” –Los Angeles Times Included in this Recording: Piano Sonata, Op. 26: I. Allegro energico Piano Sonata, Op. 26: II. Allegro vivace e leggiero Piano Sonata, Op. 26: III. Adagio mesto Piano Sonata, Op. 26: IV. Fuga: Allegro con spirito Excursions, Op. 20: I. Un poco allegro Excursions, Op. 20: II. In slow blues tempo Excursions, Op. 20: III. Allegretto Excursions, Op. 20: IV. Allegro molto Nocturne (Homage to John Field), Op. 33 3 Sketches: No. 1. Love Song: Tempo di valse – Allegretto 3 Sketches: No. 2. To my Steinway (To No. 220601): Adagio 3 Sketches: No. 3. Minuet: Tempo di minuetto 2 Interludes: 2 Interludes: No. 1. Adagio, ma non troppo, “Adagio for Jeanne” Ballade, Op. 46: Restless Souvenirs, Op. 28 (version for piano solo): I. Waltz: Tempo do valse – Allegro con brio Souvenirs, Op. 28 (version for piano solo): II. Scottische: Tempo di Schottische, Allegro ma non troppo Souvenirs, Op. 28 (version for piano solo): III. Pas de deux: Adagio Souvenirs, Op. 28 (version for piano solo): IV. Two-Step: Allegro molto Souvenirs, Op. 28 (version for piano solo): V. Hesitation Tango: Con moto Souvenirs, Op. 28 (version for piano solo): VI. Galop: Allegro...
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Buy “In Rachmaninoff’s G major Prelude, Pollack applies deft and vibrant colors to its pastels and tender oils. Here is a pianist with genuine sympathy for Rachmaninov. The G-sharp Minor Prelude churns, rocks, and soars in liquid agitation, forceful without having been forced, persuasive and dynamic at once…” “The Franck Prelude, Chorale et Fugue (1884) receives a driven performance, pointed from the very first toward a firm sense of resolution. Pollack successfully takes on the challenge of the intricately massive Polonaise-Fantasie of Chopin, leisurely establishing its weaving contour, which fuses elements of ballade, fantasy, and Polish dance-form. The disarming F Major Ballade (1837) at first rings with the soft colors of a Gallic noel, only to explode into frenzied articulate passion and spiritual revolt. Pollack the lion alternately snarls and brandishes the velvet paw in exotic tension…” “Finally, the perennial Polonaise in A-flat Major (1842), with its grand declamations of Polish aristocracy of spirit, its unquenchable pride of place. Pollack’s sheer finesse, his innate bravura and suavity of transition, rank this performance with the epics we know from Rubinstein, Horowitz, and Cziffra, dignitaries in the Chopin style of the first order, the Knights Templar of the spirit.” –Gary Lemco, Audiophile Included on this Recording: Sergei Rachmaninov. Prelude in G minor op.23 no.5 Sergei Rachmaninov. Prelude in G major op.32 no.5 Sergei Rachmaninov. Prelude in G sharp minor op.32 no.12 Cesar Franck. Prelude, Chorale and Fugue Frederic Chopin. Mazurka in A minor op.17 no.4 Frederic Chopin. Scherzo no.3 in C sharp minor Frederic Chopin. Polonaise-Fantasie in A flat major Frederic Chopin. Ballade no.2 in F major Frederic Chopin. Polonaise in A flat...
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Buy On This Recording: Piano Sonata No.2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35 I. Grave, Doppio movimento Piano Sonata No.2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35 II. Scherzo Piano Sonata No.2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35 III. Marche funèbre. Lento Piano Sonata No.2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35 IV. Finale. Presto Nocturne in D-flat major, Op. 27 No.2 Ballade No.4 in F minor, Op. 52 Nocturne No.20 in C-sharp minor Piano Sonata No.3 in B minor, Op. 58 I. Allegro maestoso Piano Sonata No.3 in B minor, Op. 58 II. Molto vivace Piano Sonata No.3 in B minor, Op. 58 III. Largo Piano Sonata No.3 in B minor, Op. 58 IV. Presto ma non...
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