Grieg's Lyric Pieces

[mc ukrneal]

I recently re- re-discovered my Grieg piano disc with Pletnev, which includes about a dozen of the lyric pieces. I was reminded how wonderful these truly are and that I would really like to hear more. I am not one to buy multiple recordings of the same thing, so looking for a recording that you would recommend on this and will hold up to repeated listening (and in good sound).

(Incidentally - if someone could point me to a site that talks about why Grieg composed them and more about the pieces in general, I'd be very appreciative - I'm having a bad search day).

The other aspect of course, is whether to get the complete thing or just a disc of excerpts (is the music throughout interesting enough)?  If the pieces are all as interesting as these excerpts, that would be an easy yes, but this is where your help would be appreciated. So have been considering:

Gilels
Andsnes
Richter (sound ok?)
Einar Steen-Noekleberg (both complete and excerpts - but this would seem to be the way to go for a complete version)

[Florestan]

I'd go for the complete Steen-Noekleberg set (heard some excerpts and they are excellent) --- but then again I'm a sucker for piano music. 

[Todd]

I went on a mini-binge of Lyric Pieces earlier this year in an effort to augment my recordings by Gilels (still the tops), Gieseking (not far behind), and Andsnes.  I picked up a big slug of Grieg, including the complete Lyric Pieces, by Gerhard Oppitz, a nearly complete twofer taken from the complete set of Lyric Pieces by Daniel Adni, and some selections by Mikhail Pletnev and Andrei Gavrilov. 

By far the best of the new discs for me was Gavrilov.  For whatever reason, the Russian pianists I've sampled seem to thrive in these works.  Gavrilov, in particular, plays with an almost inhuman tonal palette and almost infinite dynamic flexibility.  It is gorgeous playing, though perhaps ever so slightly superficial.  The Pletnev is similar in some ways, but not quite as good.  The near-complete Adni set is a bit devoid of color when compared to Gavrilov, but his way with dynamics and tempi are captivating, and he can, well, boogie in the few cases where needed.  An energetic set.  Oppitz is too serious and heavy and metallic to really make the most of the works, though his technical facility makes the works sound easy. 

Not having heard any other complete sets, I can't say that they aren't the way to go, but based on what I've heard, discs with selections picked by the performer seem the way to go. 

I'd say that Gilels is a must here.  Then maybe consider Gavrilov, Gieseking, Andsnes, and then Adni.

[Holden]

I recently re- re-discovered my Grieg piano disc with Pletnev, which includes about a dozen of the lyric pieces. I was reminded how wonderful these truly are and that I would really like to hear more. I am not one to buy multiple recordings of the same thing, so looking for a recording that you would recommend on this and will hold up to repeated listening (and in good sound).

(Incidentally - if someone could point me to a site that talks about why Grieg composed them and more about the pieces in general, I'd be very appreciative - I'm having a bad search day).

The other aspect of course, is whether to get the complete thing or just a disc of excerpts (is the music throughout interesting enough)?  If the pieces are all as interesting as these excerpts, that would be an easy yes, but this is where your help would be appreciated. So have been considering:

Gilels
Andsnes
Richter (sound ok?)
Einar Steen-Noekleberg (both complete and excerpts - but this would seem to be the way to go for a complete version)

The Gilels is simply brilliant - one of my desert island discs.

[George]

Gilels is great.

Haven't heard the Gavrilov, but I am a fan of his, so I should check his Grieg out at some point.

[Coopmv]

All the Lyric Pieces should be included in this box set I just ordered ...

[Peregrine]

The Gilels is simply brilliant - one of my desert island discs.

Totally agree. Gilels playing on this disc is sublime. Have been meaning to try the Pletnev and Richter for some time, will have to add the Gavrilov to that list...

[George]

There's a guy who does Grieg for Naxos called Einar Steen-Nokleberg . I only have his CD with the Ballade (The ballade seems to me the real Grieg piano masterpiece.) It's not bad: lively, sharp, fun. His other Grieg CDs may be worth checking out.

Yes, I have all three volumes and they are very nice.

[Coopmv]

Gilels is great.

Haven't heard the Gavrilov, but I am a fan of his, so I should check his Grieg out at some point.

Looks like this CD, which I bought years ago, is now OOP.  Our friend at Arkiv does sell the CDR ...

[(poco) Sforzando]

I don't have a recording, but they're not particularly difficult as a rule, and I often play through a dozen or so every few months.

[George]

Which CD is Pletnev 1 from, Mandryka?

[Mandryka]

Which CD is Pletnev 1 from, Mandryka?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mikhail-Pletnev-Plays-Grieg/dp/B00013D4GI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1283536208&sr=8-4

Which may or may not be the same as this -- who knows?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Grieg-Piano-Music-Mikhail-Pletnev/dp/B003YCLUAU/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1283536237&sr=1-6

[ccar]

As for Richter, there's  a CD in the Hungary box. Richter is an interesting contrast to Gilels' DG CD because he doesn't over internalise. He's not delicate like Gilels. The result is quite exciting.

I fully agree. Richter never gives any mellow or sweet reading. For me his approach to the Lyric Pieces is more "nordic", darker and mysterious. With much more impressionist colors than the beautiful but perhaps more "romantic" Gilels version.

Other Richter's recordings of the Lyric Pieces were also issued by Live Classics (Jul 1993, Schliersee), Stradivarius (Oct 1993, Athens & Kozani) and Aura (Jun 1984, Lugano). Like the Hungary-Budapest recital (Nov 1993) all the recordings come from the same 1993/1994 period (the Greek and the Budapest recitals were only 1-2 weeks apart). The recorded sound is globally quite good and there are only minor differences in the program selection (except in the Lugano recital where Richter only plays 3 of the pieces).

For the Richterites, and I believe for anyone who likes to discover how great musicians may explore their own interpretative differences and nuances, these various Richter performances are an interesting listening opportunity.

                    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCn2hCfxVrw&feature=related

[abidoful]

Edvard Grieg's PRECIOUS Lyriske Stykke---Walter Gieseking

[George]

I went on a mini-binge of Lyric Pieces earlier this year in an effort to augment my recordings by Gilels (still the tops), Gieseking (not far behind), and Andsnes.  I picked up a big slug of Grieg, including the complete Lyric Pieces, by Gerhard Oppitz, a nearly complete twofer taken from the complete set of Lyric Pieces by Daniel Adni, and some selections by Mikhail Pletnev and Andrei Gavrilov. 

By far the best of the new discs for me was Gavrilov.  For whatever reason, the Russian pianists I've sampled seem to thrive in these works.  Gavrilov, in particular, plays with an almost inhuman tonal palette and almost infinite dynamic flexibility.  It is gorgeous playing, though perhaps ever so slightly superficial.  The Pletnev is similar in some ways, but not quite as good.  The near-complete Adni set is a bit devoid of color when compared to Gavrilov, but his way with dynamics and tempi are captivating, and he can, well, boogie in the few cases where needed.  An energetic set.  Oppitz is too serious and heavy and metallic to really make the most of the works, though his technical facility makes the works sound easy. 

Not having heard any other complete sets, I can't say that they aren't the way to go, but based on what I've heard, discs with selections picked by the performer seem the way to go. 

I'd say that Gilels is a must here.  Then maybe consider Gavrilov, Gieseking, Andsnes, and then Adni.

Thanks for mentioning Adni here. I love his Songs Without Words and finally found a cheap copy of this 2CD set recently. I am only a few tracks in, but I am really enjoying this.

[MickeyBoy]

I have found the 1989 Naxos selection by Balasz Szokolay very satisfying. And completely agree, judging from an old Soviet lp,  that Gilels is astounding.

[Mandryka]

The Lyric Pieces here are interesting - as is the Chopin on the album. Good sound - airy - too. Ciccolini - when he's good he's very very good, when he's bad he's . . . He was good for Cascavelle by the sound of it. This is a set worth exploring - streaming everywhere.

This comment, from a review on amazon, is spot on. The piano is the elixir vitae!

しかも使用ピアノは、高級品ファツィオリで若さを感じる部分があります。

[Iota]

I was recently very taken by the intimacy and poetry of this Gilels recording.

[MickeyBoy]

I was recently very taken by the intimacy and poetry of this Gilels recording.

My first and best introduction to these wonderful pieces.

[Luke]

Gilels is sublime, extraordinary. But Andsnes does it for me too - and he's playing Grieg's piano, which is a nice additional feature.