SHOSTAKOVICH : 24 Preludes & Fugues, Op. 87 (Vladimir Ashkenazy) 2CD (1999) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

When Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich composed this set in the early 50's for pianist Taitian Nikolaeva, fugues weren't particularly "in," apparently frowned upon by authorities concerned with the degree of "formality" in orchestral works. Nikolaeva recorded a particularly dense, diffuse version of the set, arguably a demonstration of her own declining technique rather than a livelier version more closely intended by Shotakovich. In 1992, Shostakovich's "Op. 87" registered more prominently in the eyes and ears of listeners when jazz pianist Keith Jarrett -- pursuing a notably similar career as contemporary pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy with a bit more distinction (or at least commercial notice) -- zipped through the set in 2:15:20. Some dissenters complained that Jarrett's treatment was whimsically light, so perhaps in some sense Ashkenazy's version may be a kind of response to Jarrett. Whatever the case, Ashkenazy could surely summon a touch more passion out of some of the more ponderous, meditative moments in this marathon of otherwise utterly transportive magic. He comes across as detached, almost indifferent, uninvolved in the sweetly diatonic No. 1, robotically remembering to hit the notes on time without any ambient responsibility or ear for rhythm. No. 18 in F minor, similarly, could be a heart-wrencher, a record to play at the wake of a dearly departed, but here's he's little more than garden-variety, although momentarily playful. But Ashkenazy's very good with the contrasting textures of Prelude of No. 19 in E-flat Major. His speedy lines and breezy passes over the keys in the Prelude of No. 2 in A minor combine to give it a high-rise, big-city-on-the water sense of strangeness and ease. Crystal notes in the memory-soaked No. 4 in E Minor accents its slightly bittersweet underpinnings, and it is this atmosphere that prevails above all in this intriguing modern recording. Becky Byrkit

DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)

24 Preludes and Fugues Op. 87

Piano, Performer – Vladimir Ashkenazy

RAUTAVAARA : 12 Concertos (2009) 4xCD BOX-SET / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 This four-disc Ondine set collects the complete concertos of Einojuhani Rautavaara. While these 12 works may not make the best argument for the Finnish post-modernist's status as a great composer -- his eight symphonies surely make good that claim -- they certainly make the best argument for his status as an amazingly effective, astoundingly diverse, and wonderfully individualistic composer. The works themselves are all from Rautavaara's wide-ranging maturity. There are three piano concertos, one concerto each for violin, cello, double bass, flute, clarinet, organ, and harp, as well as a Ballad for harp and orchestra, plus the sui generic "Cantus Arcticus" for taped Artic bird songs and orchestra. Though the majority of the works are in three movements, each is unlike any other in conception and execution. From the megalomaniacal Piano Concerto No. 1 through the atmospheric Flute Concerto "Dances of the Winds" to the luminous Bass Concerto "Angel of Dusk," Rautavaara never repeats himself. Each work is superbly composed for its chosen soloist; the nearly Romantic Piano Concerto No. 3, "Gift of Dreams," written for Vladimir Ashkenazy, is a prime example. The soloists are always technically impressive, particularly Patrick Gallois' virtuosity on four separate flutes. They are also often emotionally compelling, especially Elmar Oliveira's seamless legato in the Tranquillo that opens the Violin Concerto. Recorded in cool, clear, deep, and very vivid digital sound, this set deserves to be heard by fans of the best of post-modernism. by James Leonard  

All Tracks

RACHMANINOV : The Complete Works (2014) 32xCD BOX SET | APE (image+.cue), lossless

All of Rachmaninov’s music - from his earliest student compositions to his final masterpieces – has been collected together for the first time on 32 CDs, in what is definitively the most complete and comprehensive edition of Rachmaninov’s works ever released. Even includes the popular and treasured recordings made by Rachmaninov himself - The Ampico Recordings. These are recordings from piano rolls of Rachmaninov as a pianist, featuring many small works and transcriptions made between 1919 and 1929.
Legendary Piano Concerto Recordings: Five CDs in the set are dedicated to the works that secured Rachmaninov his household name – the Piano Concertos.
No. 1 - Byron Janis,
No. 2- Sviatoslav Richter,
No. 3 - Martha Argerich
No. 4 - Zoltán Kocsis
Plus the 2001 recording of the original versions of Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 4, performed by Alexander Ghindin. Further rarities include the original 1913 version of Piano Sonata No. 2 (CD 4)
Vladimir Ashkenazy’s famous recordings of all Four Piano Concertos with the London Symphony Orchestra and Andre Previn (CDs 16-17): “From Ashkenazy, every page declares Rachmaninov’s nationality, his indelibly Russian nature… Previn works hand in glove with his soloist… the product of the greatest musical sympathy.” Gramophone
Top-Flight  Artists : The set benefits from Decca’s enormously distinguished artist roster and includes performances many of the 20th century’s great interpreters. The artistic backbone of the set is provided by Vladimir Ashkenazy. Considered the pre-eminent interpreter of Rachmaninov’s music, Ashkenazy has championed it since the outset of his career, and he is the only musician to record all of the composer’s piano works. In this set, he is also heard as accompanist (notably with soprano Elisabeth Söderström in three CDs of Songs), but also as conductor of the Concertgebouw Orchestra. wiki
Tracklist:
CD1
24 Preludes
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano

CD2
Michail Pletnev piano
Zoltán Kocsis piano

CD3
Jorge Bolet piano
Alexis Weissenberg piano

CD4
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano
with André Previn, piano/ Vovka Ashkenazy, piano

CD5
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano

CD6
Transcriptions
Original Compositions:

CD7
Fantaisie-tableaux (Suite No.1) for two pianos, op.5
Suite No.2 for two pianos, op.17
Symphonic Dances for two pianos, op.45

CD8
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano

CD9
Heinrich Schiff cello (1-4)
Lynn Harrell, cello (5 9)
Elisabeth Leonskaja, piano (1-4)
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano (5 9)
Peter Jablonski, piano (10-12)

CD10
Beaux Arts Trio

CD11
Dene Olding, violin
Joan Rodgers, soprano?

CD12
Songs I
Elisabeth Söderström (soprano)
Vladimir Ashkenazy (piano)

CD13
Songs II
Elisabeth Söderström (soprano)
Vladimir Ashkenazy (piano)

CD14
Songs III
Elisabeth Söderström (soprano)
Vladimir Ashkenazy (piano)

CD15
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano
London Symphony Orchestra/André Previn

CD16
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano
London Symphony Orchestra/André Previn

CD17
Alexander Ghindin, piano
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra / Vladimir Ashkenazy

CD18
Tracks 1-4: Symphony No.1 in D minor, op.13
Tracks 5-7: Symphonic Dances, op.45

CD19
London Philharmonic Orchestra / Walter Weller
Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra / Edo de Waart

CD20
Natalia Troitskaya, soprano+ / Ryszard Karczykowski, tenor / Tom Krause, baritone
Chorus of the Concertgebouw Orchestra
Concertgebouw Orchestra / Vladimir Ashkenazy

CD21
Sydney Symphony / Vladimir Ashkenazy
The Philadelphia Orchestra / Charles Dutoit

CD22
Prague Philharmonic Choir / Vladimir Ashkenazy (piano & conductor)

CD23
Tracks 1-18: Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, op.31

CD24
Tracks 1-15: Vespers (All-Night Vigil) (Vsenoshchnoye Bdeniye), op.37

CD25
Tracks 1 4: Monna Vanna, Act One

CD26
Tracks 1-13: Aleko

CD27
Tracks 1 18: The Miserly Knight, op.24

CD28
Tracks 1 25: Francesca da Rimini, op.25

CD29
Piano Concertos Nos. 1&2

CD30
Piano Concertos Nos. 3&4

CD31
The Ampico Recordings
Rachmaninov Transcriptions:

CD32
The Real Rachmaninov
Vladimir Ashkenazy and Rob Cowan discuss the Russian Romantic

RACHMANINOV : Music for Two Pianos (Ashkenazy-Previn) 2xCD (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless