RACHMANINOV : The Complete Works (2014) 32xCD BOX-SET | APE (image+.cue), lossless

Presented on 32 discs in a sturdy box set, Rachmaninov: The Complete Works consists of the piano concertos, solo piano compositions, transcriptions, chamber pieces, symphonies, and other orchestral works, as well as the operas, songs, and choral music, all drawn from Decca's vast catalog. The roster of performers impresses with its variety, and the piano music especially benefits from the number of artists involved, which includes Martha Argerich, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Nelson Freire, Mikhail Pletnev, Zoltán Kocsis, Byron Janis, Alexis Weissenberg, Alexander Ghindin, Sviatoslav Richter, and Jorge Bolet, among others. The orchestral performances are led by such eminent conductors as Ashkenazy (in his second career as a conductor), André Previn, Neeme Järvi, Riccardo Chailly, Kirill Kondrashin, Walter Weller, Edo de Waart, and Charles Dutoit. The set also includes bonuses: The Ampico Recordings, which were taken from piano rolls Rachmaninov made between 1919 and 1929; and an interview, "Rachmaninov: Vladimir Ashkenazy and Rob Cowan Discuss the Russian Romantic." Fans of Rachmaninov's intensely passionate music will find this set essential and a lot more practical to buy in one shot than to acquire the CDs separately. However, many collectors will already own a few of these classic recordings, so the prospect of duplication is great. Blair Sanderson
Tracklist:
CD1
24 Preludes
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano
CD2
Michail Pletnev piano
Zoltán Kocsis piano
CD3
Jorge Bolet piano
Alexis Weissenberg piano
CD4
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano
with André Previn, piano/ Vovka Ashkenazy, piano
CD5
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano
CD6
Transcriptions
Original Compositions:
CD7
Fantaisie-tableaux (Suite No.1) for two pianos, op.5
Suite No.2 for two pianos, op.17
Symphonic Dances for two pianos, op.45
CD8
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano
CD9
Heinrich Schiff cello (1-4)
Lynn Harrell, cello (5 9)
Elisabeth Leonskaja, piano (1-4)
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano (5 9)
Peter Jablonski, piano (10-12)
CD10
Beaux Arts Trio
CD11
Dene Olding, violin
Joan Rodgers, soprano?
CD12
Songs I
Elisabeth Söderström (soprano)
Vladimir Ashkenazy (piano)
CD13
Songs II
Elisabeth Söderström (soprano)
Vladimir Ashkenazy (piano)
CD14
Songs III
Elisabeth Söderström (soprano)
Vladimir Ashkenazy (piano)
CD15
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano
London Symphony Orchestra/André Previn
CD16
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano
London Symphony Orchestra/André Previn
CD17
Alexander Ghindin, piano
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra / Vladimir Ashkenazy
CD18
Tracks 1-4: Symphony No.1 in D minor, op.13
Tracks 5-7: Symphonic Dances, op.45
CD19
London Philharmonic Orchestra / Walter Weller
Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra / Edo de Waart
CD20
Natalia Troitskaya, soprano+ / Ryszard Karczykowski, tenor / Tom Krause, baritone
Chorus of the Concertgebouw Orchestra
Concertgebouw Orchestra / Vladimir Ashkenazy
CD21
Sydney Symphony / Vladimir Ashkenazy
The Philadelphia Orchestra / Charles Dutoit
CD22
Prague Philharmonic Choir / Vladimir Ashkenazy (piano & conductor)
CD23
Tracks 1-18: Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, op.31
CD24
Tracks 1-15: Vespers (All-Night Vigil) (Vsenoshchnoye Bdeniye), op.37
CD25
Tracks 1 4: Monna Vanna, Act One
CD26
Tracks 1-13: Aleko
CD27
Tracks 1 18: The Miserly Knight, op.24
CD28
Tracks 1 25: Francesca da Rimini, op.25
CD29
Piano Concertos Nos. 1&2
CD30
Piano Concertos Nos. 3&4
CD31
The Ampico Recordings
Rachmaninov Transcriptions:
CD32
The Real Rachmaninov
Vladimir Ashkenazy and Rob Cowan discuss the Russian Romantic

KABALEVSKY : Cello Concerto Nr. 2 • KHACHATURIAN : Cello Concerto • RACHMANINOV : Vocalise (Ashkenazy, Lidström) (1996) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Dmitry Kabalevsky (1904-1987)
1-5    Concerto No.2 for Cello and Orchestra, Op.7710:27

Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978)
6-8    Concerto In E Minor For Cello And Orchestra (1946)

Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)
9    Vocalise, Op.34 No.14
(transcribed For Cello And Piano)

Cello – Mats Lidström
Conductor – Vladimir Ashkenazy
Orchestra – Göteborgs Symfoniker

SCRIABIN : The Complete Works (2015) 18CD Box-Set / APE (image+.cue), lossless

ALEXANDER SCRIABIN 1872-1915

The Complete Works

The First Complete Edtition                                         

Including 64 Newly-Recorded Tracks

 

Works for piano solo                             

CD1 Opp. 1-5

 

CD2 Opp. 6-8

CD3 Opp. 9-14

CD4 Opp. 15-23

CD5 Opp. 25, 27, 28, 30-35

CD6 Opp. 36-53

CD7 Opp. 56-59, 61-65

CD8 Opp. 66-74

CD9 Works without opus number

Chamber & Orchestral Works

CD10  

Variation on a Russian Theme

Andante and Scherzo for strings

Symphonic poem, Wo0 24

Piano Concerto • Rêverie

CD 11

Symphony No. 1

CD 12

Symphony No. 2

CD 13

Symphony No. 3 "Le Divin Poème"

 

CD 14

Le Poème de l'extase

Prométhée : Le Poème du feu

 

CD 15-17

Nuances, orch. Nemtin

Preparation for the Final Mystery, realised Nemtin

BONUS CD

(CD 18)

Scriabin across the generations - 

Performances by legenday pianists

and artists of the younger generation

 

Soloists and Conductors include:

Pierre-Laurent Aimard · Vladimir Ashkenazy

Gordon Fergus-Thompson · Valery Gergiev

Benjamin Grosvenor · Vladimir Horowitz

Yevgeny Kissin · Valentina Lisitsa

Lorin Maazel · Ivo Pogorelich

Sviatoslav Richter · Roberto Szidon

Daniil Trifonov

 

SHOSTAKOVICH - The Symphonies (Vladimir Ashkenazy) 12CD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

CD1
Symphony No.1 In F Minor, Op.10    
Symphony No.6 In B Minor, Op.54

CD2
Festive Overture, Op.96    5:53
October, Op. 131 - Symphonic Poem    12:38
Symphony No.2 In B Major, Op.14 - "To October"    17:04
The Song Of The Forests, Op.81

CD3
Symphony No.12 In D Minor, Op.112 "The Year 1917"
Symphony No.3 In E Flat Major, Op.20 - "The First Of May"

CD4
Symphony No. 4 In C Minor, Op. 43

CD5
Symphony No.5 In D Minor, Op.47
Five Fragments, Op.42

CD6
Shostakovich's Broadcast From Besieged Leningrad In 1941
Symphony No.7 In C Major, Op.60 "Leningrad"

CD7
Funeral & Triumphal Prelude, Op.130    2:44
Symphony No.8 In C Minor, Op.65
Novorossiisk Chimes

CD8
Chamber Symphony, Op.110a
Symphony No.10 In E Minor, Op.93

CD9
Symphony No. 11 In G Minor, Op. 103 "The Year 1905"

CD10
Symphony No.13 In B Fla tMinor, Op.113"Babi Yar"

CD11
Symphony No.14, Op.135

CD12
Symphony No. 9 In E Flat Major, Op. 70
Symphony No.15 In A Major, Op.141

Credits :
Baritone Vocals – Sergei Koptchak (pistas: CD 10, CD 11)
Bass Vocals – Nikita Storojev (pistas: 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8, 2-9, 2-10)
Choir – New London Children's Choir (pistas: 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8, 2-9, 2-10), The Bach Choir (pistas: 3-5, 3-6, 3-7, 3-8)
Chorus – Brighton Festival Chorus (pistas: 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8, 2-9, 2-10), Nikikai Chorus Group (pistas: CD 10)
Chorus Master – Laszlo Heltay (pistas: 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8, 2-9, 2-10)
Music Director – Sir David Willcocks (pistas: 3-5, 3-6, 3-7, 3-8), Ronald Corp (pistas: 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8, 2-9, 2-10)
Orchestra – NHK Symphony Orchestra (pistas: 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4, 4-5, 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4, 10-5, 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4, 11-5, 11-6, 11-7, 11-8, 11-9, 11-10, 11-11), St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra (pistas: 6-2,6-3,6-4,6-5, 9-1, 9-2, 9-3, 9-4), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Soprano Vocals – Joan Rodgers (pistas: CD11)
Tenor Vocals – Mikhail Kotliarov (pistas: 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8, 2-9, 2-10)

RAUTAVAARA : 12 Concertos (2009) 4xCD BOX-SET / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This four-disc Ondine set collects the complete concertos of Einojuhani Rautavaara. While these 12 works may not make the best argument for the Finnish post-modernist's status as a great composer -- his eight symphonies surely make good that claim -- they certainly make the best argument for his status as an amazingly effective, astoundingly diverse, and wonderfully individualistic composer. The works themselves are all from Rautavaara's wide-ranging maturity. There are three piano concertos, one concerto each for violin, cello, double bass, flute, clarinet, organ, and harp, as well as a Ballad for harp and orchestra, plus the sui generic "Cantus Arcticus" for taped Artic bird songs and orchestra. Though the majority of the works are in three movements, each is unlike any other in conception and execution. From the megalomaniacal Piano Concerto No. 1 through the atmospheric Flute Concerto "Dances of the Winds" to the luminous Bass Concerto "Angel of Dusk," Rautavaara never repeats himself. Each work is superbly composed for its chosen soloist; the nearly Romantic Piano Concerto No. 3, "Gift of Dreams," written for Vladimir Ashkenazy, is a prime example. The soloists are always technically impressive, particularly Patrick Gallois' virtuosity on four separate flutes. They are also often emotionally compelling, especially Elmar Oliveira's seamless legato in the Tranquillo that opens the Violin Concerto. Recorded in cool, clear, deep, and very vivid digital sound, this set deserves to be heard by fans of the best of post-modernism. by James Leonard  

All Tracks

RACHMANINOV : Music for Two Pianos (Ashkenazy-Previn) 2xCD (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

RACHMANINOV : Music for 2 pianos (1995) 2CD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

SHOSTAKOVICH: Michelangelo Verses; Captain Lebyadkin Verses [Ashkenazy/Fischer-Dieskau] London

SHOSTAKOVICH: Michelangelo Verses; Captain Lebyadkin Verses

 [Ashkenazy-Fischer-Dieskau]

 [1993] London / CBR320 / scans

filefactory

zippyshare

O Púbis da Rosa

BEETHOVEN - Complete Piano Trios [Ashkenazy-Perlman-Harrell] 1982 / EMI / 4CD

BEETHOVEN [1770-1827] Complete Piano Trios 

Ashkenazy-Perlman-Harrell 

1982 / EMI / 4CD / CBR320 / scan

O Púbis da Rosa

BEETHOVEN - The Violin Sonatas [Perlman-Ashkenazy] DECCA 4CD

 

BEETHOVEN  [1770-1827]

The Violin Sonatas [Perlman-Ashkenazy] 

DECCA 4CD / 1974 / CBR320 / scan

O Púbis da Rosa

SHOSTAKOVICH - Piano Works [Ashkenazy] SACD / 2004

A great exponent of Russian piano music, Vladimir Ashkenazy is much admired for his brilliant and insightful recordings of Scriabin, Rachmaninov, Prokofiev, and Shostakovich. Of these composers, Shostakovich poses the least daunting technical challenges, but, arguably, offers the most puzzling enigmas for interpretation. To his credit, Ashkenazy is usually circumspect and sensitive to Shostakovich's mercurial intentions. Where ambiguity holds sway, as in the brittle and unsettled Piano Sonata No. 2, or the quizzical and disturbing Aphorisms, Ashkenazy plays the music precisely and leaves the composer's riddles for the listener to ponder. Alert to the ironic possibilities in this varied body of work, Ashkenazy treads with care and generally avoids certitude. When Shostakovich flirts with parody, as in the grotesquely elegant Fantastic Dances (3) and the Lyric Waltz, there is no need to exaggerate because Shostakovich's mannerisms speak for themselves. Ashkenazy hints at his own attitudes in his subtle timing of phrases, but seldom goes further. Even though Ashkenazy's caution could be misconstrued as ambivalence, his discretion is preferable to broader, more flamboyant approaches. Only in the Polka is Ashkenazy over-indulgent. By treating this sly piece as a flashy encore, he oversteps the boundaries observed in the rest of his program, and closes the disc with a disconcerting bang.

Piano Sonata No. 2 Op. 61

1. I. Allegretto

2. II. Largo

3. III. Moderato Con Moto

Three Fantastic Dances Op. 5.

4. I. Allegretto

5. II. Andantino – Allegretto

6. III. Allegretto

Five Preludes

7. I. Allegro Moderato E Scherzando

8. II. Andante

9. III. Allegro Moderato

10. IV. Moderato

11. V. Andantino

12. Lyric Waltz from Dances of the Dolls

13. Short Piece from The Gadfly

14. Spanish Dance from The Gadfly

15. Nocturne from the Limpid Stream

Aphorisms Op. 13

16. I. Recitative

17. II. Serenade

18. III. Nocturne

19. IV. Elegy

20. V. Marche Funebre

21. VI. Etude

22. VII. Dance Of Death

23. VIII. Canon

24. IX. Legend

25. X. Lullaby

26. Polka from The Golden Age

Vladimir Ashkenazy - Piano

O Púbis da Rosa

SHOSTAKOVICH : 24 Preludes & Fugues, Op. 87 (Vladimir Ashkenazy) 2CD (1999) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

When Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich composed this set in the early 50's for pianist Taitian Nikolaeva, fugues weren't particularly "in," apparently frowned upon by authorities concerned with the degree of "formality" in orchestral works. Nikolaeva recorded a particularly dense, diffuse version of the set, arguably a demonstration of her own declining technique rather than a livelier version more closely intended by Shotakovich. In 1992, Shostakovich's "Op. 87" registered more prominently in the eyes and ears of listeners when jazz pianist Keith Jarrett -- pursuing a notably similar career as contemporary pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy with a bit more distinction (or at least commercial notice) -- zipped through the set in 2:15:20. Some dissenters complained that Jarrett's treatment was whimsically light, so perhaps in some sense Ashkenazy's version may be a kind of response to Jarrett. Whatever the case, Ashkenazy could surely summon a touch more passion out of some of the more ponderous, meditative moments in this marathon of otherwise utterly transportive magic. He comes across as detached, almost indifferent, uninvolved in the sweetly diatonic No. 1, robotically remembering to hit the notes on time without any ambient responsibility or ear for rhythm. No. 18 in F minor, similarly, could be a heart-wrencher, a record to play at the wake of a dearly departed, but here's he's little more than garden-variety, although momentarily playful. But Ashkenazy's very good with the contrasting textures of Prelude of No. 19 in E-flat Major. His speedy lines and breezy passes over the keys in the Prelude of No. 2 in A minor combine to give it a high-rise, big-city-on-the water sense of strangeness and ease. Crystal notes in the memory-soaked No. 4 in E Minor accents its slightly bittersweet underpinnings, and it is this atmosphere that prevails above all in this intriguing modern recording. Becky Byrkit

Tracklist & Credits :

DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)

24 Preludes and Fugues Op. 87

Composed By – Dmitri Shostakovich
Piano, Performer – Vladimir Ashkenazy