Good-Music-Guide.com

This site uses features found in IE5 and Netscape 6 and higher

Essential Classical Piano Music


Classical
Essentials

Piano Music

Basic Collection Baroque Music Symphonies Concertos Chamber Music Music for Piano Opera Choral Music 20th Century Music
The piano is the most modern version of the generic keyboard instrument, starting with the harpsichord in Bach's time, through the clavichord in Mozart's time and finally evolving into its modern form, the piano-forte (“soft-loud”) or piano for short, in Beethoven's time.

It is the most versatile of instruments; it alone can play complex harmonies, its tone ranging from harsh and percussive to gliding and song-like. It is no wonder that there is a larger repertoire for the solo piano than for any other solo instrument.

BACH:WELL-TEMPERED CLAVIER
Sviatoslav Richter

Bach wrote two complete cycles of Preludes and Fugues exploring every key, major and minor, to demonstrate the advatages of the new tuning system. In the process he created an entire universe of music. Sviatoslav Richter's recording of both sets on 4 CDs is warm and poetic.

BACH: ENGLISH SUITE NO.2, PARTITA NO.2, TOCCATA IN C
Martha Argerich

The only Bach recording of Martha Argerich is a sampling of Bach's keyboard music. Her virtuosity is matched by Bach's dance-like suites. This is a treasured CD of ours.

MOZART:COMPLETE PIANO SONATAS
Christoph Eschenbach

Mozart's piano sonatas are little gems, sparkling in their inventiveness and wit. Christoph Eschenbach's performance is superlative. And all 18 sonatas plus the Fantasia in C and some surprises on 5 CDs at bargain price. Grab it!

BEETHOVEN: 32 PIANO SONATAS
Alfred Brendel

If Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier was the Old Testament of piano music, then Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas is the New Testament. A massive (10 CD) and definitive recording that got me hooked on classical music many years ago, and still one of my favourites today.

BEETHOVEN: FAVOURITE SONATAS
Alfred Brendel

If the prospect of the above 12 hours of Beethoven is too daunting, then try this selection of the best-loved of the sonatas. Inlcudes the Moonlight, Appassionata, Waldstein, Pastoral, Tempest, Les Adieux and Pathetique on 2 CDs at bargain price.

SCHUBERT: IMPROMPTUS Opus 90
Alfred Brendel

Schubert's Impromptus are miniature masterpieces that manage to express the widest range of emotions and demand the greatest sensitivity and skill from the pianist. Wondrous stuff.

CHOPIN: NOCTURNES
Artur Rubinstein

Chopin's compositions are almost exclusively small-scale piano works. The Nocturnes or Night Music, are elegant, peaceful, beautiful. Artur Rubinstein plays them with a touch so perfect it may make you weep. Alternatively see Chopin's Complete Works.

BRAHMS: LATE PIANO MUSIC
Stephen Bishop Kovacevich

Johannes Brahms was first and foremost a pianist. This 2 CD collection includes his richly textured Intermezzi, Ballades, Rhapsodies and Fantasias.

SATIE: PIANO WORKS
Philippe Entremont

Welcome to the eccentric and happily bizarre world of Erik Satie. In contrast to the Brahms above, Satie's music is gossamer light, almost not there. He makes us love the little things, and leave us a little sad. Read our review.

MUSSORGSKY: PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION
Vladimir Horowitz

Mussorgsky's Pictures, inspired by an art exhibition, is music like no other. More familiar in Ravel's orchestration, the original piano version on this CD is spine-tinglingly sharp. The final movement The Great Gate of Kiev will bring the house down.

More Classical Piano at Amazon.com....

Search Good-Music-Guide