Classical Music: Martha Argerich: A- Z Schumann - Tchaikovsky

Martha Argerich: A- Z Schumann - Tchaikovsky
The Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon and Philips

Schumann: Adagio & Allegro in A-Flat Major, Op. 70 (Version for Cello) Mstislav Rostropovich (cello) (1980); Schumann: Adagio and Allegro in A flat major, Op. 70 Mischa Maisky (cello), (1999); Schumann: Fantasiestücke, Op. 73 (Version for Cello), Mischa Maisky (cello) (1984); Schumann: Fantasiestücke, Op. 73 Mischa Maisky (cello), (1999); Schumann: Fantasiestücke in A minor for Piano Trio, Op. 88 , Gidon Kremer (violin), Mischa Maisky (cello) (2002); Schumann: Stücke im Volkston (5), Op. 102Mischa Maisky (cello), (1984); Excerpt, Schumann: Märchenbilder (4), Op. 113 Mischa Maisky (cello) (1999); Schumann: Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (1983); Schumann: Kreisleriana, Op. 16 (1983); Schumann: Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (2015); Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 (1978) National Symphony Orchestra Washington, Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Mstislav Rostropovich, Alexander Vedernikov, Riccardo Chailly; Schumann: Piano Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22 (1971) Excerpt, Schumann: Romances (3), Op. 94 Mischa Maisky (cello), (1999); Schumann: Violin Sonata No. 1 in A minor, Op. 105 Gidon Kremer (violin), (1985) Schumann: Violin Sonata No. 2 in D minor, Op. 121 Gidon Kremer (violin), (1985); Schumann: Violin Sonata No. 1 in A minor, Op. 105 Renaud Capuçon (violin), (2022) Schumann: 6 Studien in kanonischer Form, Op. 56 (Arr. Debussy for 2 Pianos) Daniel Barenboim (piano), Martha Argerich (piano) (2015); Shchedrin: Double Concerto for Piano, Cello, and Orchestra "Romantic Offering" Mischa Maisky (cello), Verbier Festival Orchestra, Neeme Järvi (2012); Guy Touvron (trumpet) Württembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn, (1993); Shostakovich: Cello Sonata in D minor, Op. 40 Mischa Maisky (cello), (2003); Shostakovich: Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor, Op. 67 Gidon Kremer (violin), Mischa Maisky (cello) (1998); Stravinsky: Les Noces, K40, Pt. 1 & Pt 2 Anny Mory (soprano), Patricia Parker (mezzo-soprano), John Mitchinson (tenor), Paul Hudson (bass), Krystian Zimerman (piano), Cyprien Katsaris (piano), Homero Francesch (piano), Nicholas Cleobury (chorusmaster), English Bach Festival Percussion Ensemble, English Bach Festival Chorus, Leonard Bernstein (1977); Stravinsky: Les noces, K40, Pt. 1 & 2 Susan Roberts (soprano), Helene Schneiderman (mezzo-soprano), Daniel Norman (tenor), Carsten Wittmoser (bass), Yulia Zaichkina (piano), Alexander Mogilevsky (piano), Alexander Gurning (piano) Lugano Percussion Group, Coro della Radiotelevisione Svizzera di Lugano Diego Fasolis (2004); Stravinsky: Sonata for 2 Pianos in D Major, K. 448 Daniel Barenboim (piano), Martha Argerich (piano) (2014); Stravinsky: Suite italienne Mischa Maisky (cello) (2003); Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Charles Dutoit (1970); Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23 Symphonie-Orchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Berliner Philharmoniker Kirill Kondrashin, Claudio Abbado (1980); Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a Martha Argerich (piano), Nicolas Economou (piano) (1983); Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 50 'In Memory of a Great Artist' Gidon Kremer (violin), Mischa Maisky (cello) (1998);

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Martha Argerich is nothing less than the High Priestess of the Piano, and this release marks a fitting way to celebrate her 85th birthday: a complete digital collection of her recordings for Deutsche Grammophon and Philips, spanning 65 years, from 1961 to the present day. Her solo recordings, though relatively few, are each a gem — from Chopin to Ravel, Bach to Schumann — but it is her partnerships with the great artists of her generation that have defined her legacy: Claudio Abbado, Nelson Freire, Gidon Kremer, Mischa Maisky and Daniel Barenboim are among them.

Arranged A–Z by composer across six digital volumes, the set brings together her complete solo, concerto, duo and chamber recordings. Given the sheer scale of the undertaking, any review can only be a round-up rather than a survey — there is simply too much here to do justice to every performance, and each listener will find their own favourites to wallow in.

This particular volume runs from Schumann to Tchaikovsky, and there is much to relish. Two contrasting accounts of Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto sit alongside the Schumann concerto, all played with the class and polish one expects. Elsewhere the collection turns up genuine curiosities: Stravinsky's Suite Italienne from Pulcinella, arranged by Piatigorsky for cello and piano, and his two-piano version of The Rite of Spring, alongside The Bride's Chamber and Shostakovich's Second Piano Trio in E minor. It is a cornucopia, and whether Argerich is heard with an orchestra, alone, or in more intimate chamber company, the musicianship never falters — this is playing that reminds us why her interpretative gifts and virtuosity remain unmatched.

The list of collaborators reads like a roll call of twentieth-century music-making: Mstislav Rostropovich and Mischa Maisky on cello, Gidon Kremer and Renaud Capuçon on violin, and Daniel Barenboim at a second piano, with further contributions from Guy Touvron, Anny Mory, Patricia Parker, John Mitchinson and Paul Hudson. Few pianists could claim such a roster of partners across a single career.

The Nutcracker excerpts are a particular delight, played with real precision, and the whole set is worth seeking out for performances of this calibre. Argerich has always been recognised as a force of nature — a musician of phenomenal memory, formidable technique and deep musical authority — and these are performances to match that reputation. The recorded sound throughout is first-rate, and the collection as a whole is a triumph: an essential addition to any serious record collection.