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Garrick Ohlsson is well known for his versatility, but a recording of Bedrich Smetana's piano music, not commonly played in general and largely the preserve of Czech artists, might be considered a stretch. As it happens, this is a strong recording of some rather unfamiliar music, catching the inward quality that's present even in Smetana's most epic and public utterances. The two books of Czech Dances heard here are different in character. The first set consists of four polkas, all different in character and rhythmic configuration; essentially Smetana, although the polka probably wasn't capable of the murky intensity of the mazurka, followed Chopin's example. The second book of dances are virtuoso pieces, weighty even when they have a slight programmatic subject (sample Cibulicka, track 9, "The Little Onion"). You might not guess what was being depicted, but this is pure Smetana, and Ohlsson delivers clean, commanding performances even when the music ventures into Lisztian territory in the final Skocná in F major (track 14). The concluding On the Seashore-A Reminiscence (track 15) is also less dreamy than its title would suggest; this early work is not much heard anywhere, and Ohlsson makes a muscular case for it. With fine sound from the acoustically appropriate Henry Wood Hall in London, this is a worthwhile Smetana release.
© TiVo
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Garrick Ohlsson, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bedrich Smetana, Composer
℗ 2016 Hyperion Records Limited
Garrick Ohlsson, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bedrich Smetana, Composer
℗ 2016 Hyperion Records Limited
Garrick Ohlsson, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bedrich Smetana, Composer
℗ 2016 Hyperion Records Limited
Garrick Ohlsson, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bedrich Smetana, Composer
℗ 2016 Hyperion Records Limited
Garrick Ohlsson, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bedrich Smetana, Composer
℗ 2016 Hyperion Records Limited
Garrick Ohlsson, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bedrich Smetana, Composer
℗ 2016 Hyperion Records Limited
Garrick Ohlsson, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bedrich Smetana, Composer
℗ 2016 Hyperion Records Limited
Garrick Ohlsson, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bedrich Smetana, Composer
℗ 2016 Hyperion Records Limited
Garrick Ohlsson, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bedrich Smetana, Composer
℗ 2016 Hyperion Records Limited
Garrick Ohlsson, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bedrich Smetana, Composer
℗ 2016 Hyperion Records Limited
Garrick Ohlsson, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bedrich Smetana, Composer
℗ 2016 Hyperion Records Limited
Garrick Ohlsson, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bedrich Smetana, Composer
℗ 2016 Hyperion Records Limited
Garrick Ohlsson, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bedrich Smetana, Composer
℗ 2016 Hyperion Records Limited
Garrick Ohlsson, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bedrich Smetana, Composer
℗ 2016 Hyperion Records Limited
Garrick Ohlsson, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bedrich Smetana, Composer
℗ 2016 Hyperion Records Limited
Album review
Garrick Ohlsson is well known for his versatility, but a recording of Bedrich Smetana's piano music, not commonly played in general and largely the preserve of Czech artists, might be considered a stretch. As it happens, this is a strong recording of some rather unfamiliar music, catching the inward quality that's present even in Smetana's most epic and public utterances. The two books of Czech Dances heard here are different in character. The first set consists of four polkas, all different in character and rhythmic configuration; essentially Smetana, although the polka probably wasn't capable of the murky intensity of the mazurka, followed Chopin's example. The second book of dances are virtuoso pieces, weighty even when they have a slight programmatic subject (sample Cibulicka, track 9, "The Little Onion"). You might not guess what was being depicted, but this is pure Smetana, and Ohlsson delivers clean, commanding performances even when the music ventures into Lisztian territory in the final Skocná in F major (track 14). The concluding On the Seashore-A Reminiscence (track 15) is also less dreamy than its title would suggest; this early work is not much heard anywhere, and Ohlsson makes a muscular case for it. With fine sound from the acoustically appropriate Henry Wood Hall in London, this is a worthwhile Smetana release.
© TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 15 track(s)
- Total length: 01:02:06
- 1 Digital booklet
- Main artists: Garrick Ohlsson
- Composer: Bedrich Smetana
- Label: Hyperion
- Genre: Classical
© 2016 Hyperion Records Limited ℗ 2016 Hyperion Records Limited
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