Grigory Sokolov at Esterházy Palace concert. Sokolov plays three Haydn sonatas, 5 Schubert Impromptus, and encores. Released 2022, this title includes 2 CD sound-only recordings plus a Blu-ray disc. The Blu-ray disc has a video of the concert (lasts 2 hours) directed by Nadia Zhdanova. The full concert is as follows:
Haydn Piano Sonata No. 32
Haydn Piano Sonata No. 47
Haydn Piano Sonata No. 49
Schubert Impromptus 1-4 from D. 935
Schubert Impromptu 4 from D. 899 (encore)
Rameau Le rappel des oiseaux (encore)
Schubert Hungarian Melody (encore)
Chopin Prelude No. 15 “Raindrop” (encore)
Griboyedov Waltz in E minor (encore)
Debussy Des pas sur le neige (encore)
The blu-ray disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: A+
Sokolov is a Russian who is mostly interested in solo live piano recitals, which he performs usually on tour. He has many contacts in the west. He donated a significant recital fee to Kviv as his response to the Ukraine war. Also recently he was granted Spanish citizenship, which should help him travel more efficiently.
I looked at lists of the top 20 classical piano players today. The list I liked the best was compiled by William Cramer on fireinsidemusic.com in December 2022. Sokolov was on Cramer’s list, even though Sokolov has been less active in recording than the competition. Sokolov lacks interest in studio work because of his belief that the best music is created when played for a live audience. In 2014, he agreed to let DG record some of his recitals, which resulted in several CDs and DVDs. This is his first Blu-ray.
Reviews of the CD recordings in this package were mixed. The strongest accolade I encountered came from Colin Clarke published by seenandheard-international.com on October 31 2020. But Jed Distler found nothing to like in his review for classicstoday.com. Stephen Greenbank reviewed both the CD and the Blu-ray video for musicweb-international.com. Greenbank was happy about everything.
Time for screenshots. We start with charming shots of Eisenstadt:
And here are views of the Esterhazy Palace:
An old recital hall. The recital was on August 10, 2018, and it was hot. Looks like no air conditioning. The audience was dressed light and in short sleeves. Note the simple recording set up:
If certain young female stars were doing this recital, they probably would have appeared in swimwear. But not Grigory—he has enough fabric covering his frame to throw up a tent:
Sokolov is finicky about his pianos. The name “HINVES” appears on both sides of this Steinway. Probably this piano was shipped for this concert from the workshops of the Steinway affiliate in Madrid Spain where works Patrick Hinves Ballesta. Ballesta maybe came with the piano to tune it at Eisenstadt:
Haydn’s Tomb:
Sokolov in his bubble:
They say Sokolov divides his programs often into 3 equally long segments: Part 1, Part 2, and Encores. That explains why there are more encores here than main performance pieces.
Well, I got through the Haydnfine, but I really got absorbed with the Schubert in Part 2 and the encores. I wonder if Schubert ever heard his Impromptus played with such authority or if he could have dreamed how they would sound on the instruments to be crafted in the future? Finally, I was pleased to see that this recital was not published by DG in DVD format—maybe we are now finally moving into the our hi-fi future with the Blu-ray disc as the standard for fine recordings. And there are CDs in the package also so you can listen in the office or your car! Grade: A+
Here is a clip from Haydn Piano Sonata No. 47 from Deutsche Grammophon:
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