Sergio Sergio Fiorentino

The Italian pianists who have made the history of interpretation are well known, starting from Busoni through Zecchi, Benedetti Michelangeli, up to Pollini and others…

Recorded live in September 1987, this release features Florentins legendary complete survey of Rachmaninoffs solo piano works. an utterly mindblowing release of the complete Rachmaninoff solo piano music by Italian master pianist Sergio Fiorentino, to whom the piano world owes a huge debt of gratitude for coaxing the master out of retirement and ensuring that his last decade of concerts was recorded. In this set, we find in absolutely stunning sound quality Fiorentinos masterful traversals of Rachmaninoffs solo works, the golden sheen of his sound and refinement of his nuancing as captivating as his passionate and intelligent interpretations. (The Piano Files)

In his 2003 production for the Maggio Musicale in Florence, director Jonathan Miller invested the complex relationships between the characters with countless tiny erotic charges and even obvious sexual symbols. The artistic director of the renowned Maggio Musicale festival Zubin Mehta brings out not only the tension and drive of the music but also its harmonic richness. The singers all belong to the international opera scene and not only provide excellent vocal quality but also strong acting skills, which help to tell the gripping story with its many disguises, mix-ups and discoveries: Russian soprano Eteri Gvazava internationally recognised since her sensational Traviata à Paris filming partnering José Cura is wonderful to watch and to hear in the role of the sad but contriving Countess Almaviva.

The long total timings for Joaquín Achúcarro’s newly reissued Schumann C major Fantasy and Kreisleriana (recorded for Ensayo in 2003) do not necessarily indicate slow tempos, but rather reflect the Spanish pianist’s ample yet judiciously proportioned rubatos, together with his tendency to let resolutions and cadences breathe and resonate. Achúcarro’s insightful and well-varied balancing of lines in the Fantasy’s first movement compensates for whatever may be lacking in forward impetus and surface bravura. Is that an ambient change, a noticeable splice, or merely Achúcarro working his tone-color magic when the main theme returns 13 minutes into the movement?

Decca proudly presents the Complete Works by Giuseppe Verdi in a single 75 CD box set. From the ever-popular “Aida” to the obscure “Alzira,” all 28 of Giuseppe Verdi's operas are here as well as his Sacred Works, Arias, Songs, Ballet Music, the String quartet and other rarities.