Chopin Preludes Michelangeli

In this edition Deutsche Grammophon brings together for the first time all the performances by pianist Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli that have appeared on the "Yellow Label" as well as the legendary early recordings of Beethoven and Scarlatti made for DECCA. Excellent documentation includes numerous rare photographs and a new appreciation of the enigmatic pianist by DG producer, conductor and longtime Michelangeli collaborator Cord Garben.

In this edition Deutsche Grammophon brings together for the first time all the performances by pianist Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli that have appeared on the "Yellow Label" as well as the legendary early recordings of Beethoven and Scarlatti made for DECCA. Excellent documentation includes numerous rare photographs and a new appreciation of the enigmatic pianist by DG producer, conductor and longtime Michelangeli collaborator Cord Garben.

In this edition Deutsche Grammophon brings together for the first time all the performances by pianist Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli that have appeared on the "Yellow Label" as well as the legendary early recordings of Beethoven and Scarlatti made for DECCA. Excellent documentation includes numerous rare photographs and a new appreciation of the enigmatic pianist by DG producer, conductor and longtime Michelangeli collaborator Cord Garben.

Featuring the Great Chopin Pianists from the past and today, Deutsche Grammophon presents a 28 CD box edition highlighting the riches of its Chopin catalogue, including eight Chopin competition winners and many of the most legendary Chopin artists of all time.

Before the review proper, a few caveats are in order. First, half of this disc was filmed in stark and slightly grainy black and white. Second, the sound for those black and white performances is hard and a bit glassy in loud passages. But, if viewers/listeners can get past those limitations, or even if they'd just prefer to skip ahead to the full color, stereo sound second half of the program, this disc dedicated to the great Italian pianist Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli will be a marvel and a wonder. The first half includes two Scarlatti sonatas (the C minor Kk. 11 and the C major Kk. 159), two Chopin mazurkas (the G sharp minor Op. 33/1 and the B minor Op. 33/4), and one piece from Debussy's Images Set I (Hommage à Rameau) filmed in Paris in 1965. The second half consists of all 12 of Debussy's Preludes Book I filmed in Paris in 1978. And in both halves, Michelangeli is, to put it simply, perfect. His articulation is flawless, his technique effortless, his control limitless, his tone endless, and his interpretations essentially definitive. But while the pianist's admirers have always known this, they will still be amazed and astounded to watch him actually achieve this perfection. The ineffable grace and incandescent agility of his playing is breathtaking, the power and elegance of his interpretations are awe-inspiring. Seemingly without exerting himself, Michelangeli creates performances that defy space, time, and gravity. (James Leonard)

This is the best – the noblest, the grandest, the most tragic – Ballade in G minor ever recorded. This is the best – the most virtuostic, the most colorful, the most imaginative – set of Book I Preludes ever recorded. This is the best – the most Romantic, the most heartfelt, the funniest – Carnaval ever recorded. This is the best – the most elegant, the most witty, the most athletic – recording of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1 ever recorded.

2009 Marks The 111th Anniversary Of Deutsche Grammophon. Over 11 Decades, The Label's Philosophy Has Always Been 'The Greatest Recordings By The Greatest Artists In The World' And Now They Showcase This With This Incredible 55 Cd Box Set. This Unique Collection Forms Dg's Major Release In Its 111th Anniversary Celebrations. The Limited Edition Box Set Gathers Together Many Landmark Recordings, From The Past To The Present. Most Of Them Appear Complete, As Originally Programmed, In Their Original Cover Art And Several Include Additional Material.

The box set comprised 100 volumes featuring 72 pianists of the 20th century, each volume with two CDs and a booklet about the life and work of the featured pianist. The set contains a variety of composers from different eras, from Baroque to Contemporary classical.