Great Pianists Of The 20th Century, Vol. 31

Andrei Gavrilov - piano

Andrei Gavrilov is evidently one of the few pianists whom actually makes some attempt to play things induvidually, and actually knows what he is doing. When one hears recordings by Richter one hears also how Gavrilov has inherited these skills, particularly in tone, from ppp to fff. His Bach is wonderful, although he doesn't use a great deal of pedal, and his rendition of Islamey is justifiably famous although the piano sounds rather "clunky". There is always a feeling of depth with the works he plays, the Scriabin sonata is one of the best versions I've heard and his Prokofiev 1st Concerto is probably THE most remarkable, he understands wholely Prokofiev's anti-romantic manner, but never overexaggeratating. I would wholely recommend this recording for listeners whom want to hear a contemporary "Great Pianist" whom actually has indivudiality and style.