Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of classical piano with this exquisite album featuring the virtuoso performances of Ernst von Dohnányi and András Schiff. Released on January 1, 2013, under the Decca Music Group Ltd. label, this collection spans a rich tapestry of genres within the classical piano and chamber music realms, offering a total duration of 1 hour and 13 minutes of pure musical bliss.
The album opens with Dohnányi's masterful "Variations on a Nursery Song, Op. 25," a delightful suite that showcases the composer's genius through a series of intricate variations. Each movement, from the majestic "Introduzione" to the lively "Finale Fugato," reveals Dohnányi's profound understanding of musical form and his ability to transform a simple nursery tune into a symphony of emotions.
Following this, the album delves into the dramatic and powerful "Totentanz, S.126" by Franz Liszt, a paraphrase on the "Dies Irae" for piano and orchestra. This piece is a tour de force, demanding both technical brilliance and emotional depth from the performer.
The album concludes with two iconic works by Sergei Rachmaninov: the "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43" and the "Paganini Variations for Piano & Orchestra." These pieces are celebrated for their technical complexity and lyrical beauty, providing a fitting finale to this remarkable collection.
András Schiff's masterful piano playing, accompanied by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Sir Georg Solti, brings these compositions to life with unparalleled artistry. Whether you are a seasoned classical enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album promises an enriching and enjoyable listening experience.
Variations on a Nursery Song, Op. 25: Introduzione (Maestoso)Ernst von Dohnányi, András Schiff, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti
Variations on a Nursery Song, Op. 25: Tema (Allegro)Ernst von Dohnányi, András Schiff, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti
Variations on a Nursery Song, Op. 25: Var.1: Poco più mossoErnst von Dohnányi, András Schiff, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti
Variations on a Nursery Song, Op. 25: Var.2: RisolutoErnst von Dohnányi, András Schiff, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti
Variations on a Nursery Song, Op. 25: Var.3Ernst von Dohnányi, András Schiff, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti
Variations on a Nursery Song, Op. 25: Var.4: Molto meno mosso (Allegretto moderato)Ernst von Dohnányi, András Schiff, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti
Variations on a Nursery Song, Op. 25: Var.5: Più mossoErnst von Dohnányi, András Schiff, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti
Variations on a Nursery Song, Op. 25: Var.6: Ancora più mosso (Allegro)Ernst von Dohnányi, András Schiff, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti
Variations on a Nursery Song, Op. 25: Var.7: Walzer (Tempo giusto)Ernst von Dohnányi, András Schiff, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti
Variations on a Nursery Song, Op. 25: Var.8: Alla marcia (Allegro moderato)Ernst von Dohnányi, András Schiff, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti
Variations on a Nursery Song, Op. 25: Var.9: Presto - Andante rubatoErnst von Dohnányi, András Schiff, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti
Variations on a Nursery Song, Op. 25: Var.10: Passacaglia (Adagio non troppo)Ernst von Dohnányi, András Schiff, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti
Variations on a Nursery Song, Op. 25: Var.11: Choral (Maestoso)Ernst von Dohnányi, András Schiff, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti
Variations on a Nursery Song, Op. 25: Finale Fugato (Allegro vivace - Tempo del tema -Molto allegro)Ernst von Dohnányi, András Schiff, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti
Totentanz, S.126. Paraphrase on "Dies Irae"for piano and orchestraFranz Liszt, Peter Katin, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Jean Martinon
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43Sergei Rachmaninoff, Peter Jablonski, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Paganini Variations, for Piano & OrchestraWitold Lutosławski, Peter Jablonski, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Ernst von Dohnányi, a renowned figure in the classical music world, was a Hungarian composer, pianist, and conductor whose works continue to captivate audiences. Known for his elegant and expressive compositions, Dohnányi's repertoire spans across chamber music and classical piano genres. His music, often published under the German form of his name, reflects a deep understanding of musical structure and a profound emotional depth. Whether you're discovering his compositions for the first time or revisiting his timeless pieces, Dohnányi's artistry promises an enriching and memorable experience.
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Ernst von Dohnányi
