replay

Shura Cherkassky Live, Volume 8 Mendelssohn, Bach (arr Busoni), Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov Shura Cherkassky (piano) (BBC Recordings: 1983-1986) (Decca 433 655-2)

Friday 19 January 1996 00:02 GMT
Comments

The late Shura Cherkassky was a magician, a poet and a terrible tease. He could deliver a whimsical, oddball and mischievously dissected set of Brahms's Paganini Variations (Book 2 only), make thistledown clouds of Mendelssohn's E minor Prelude and Fugue (the opening arpeggios seem to emerge out of the ether) or prompt Tchaikovsky's charming Theme and Variations in F to hop between salon and concert stage. Bach-Busoni is rendered larger than life, although in the Toccata, Adagio and Fugue Cherkassky eschews the expected thunder in favour of malleable phrasing, lovingly tended counterpoint and a notably songful slant to the Adagio. But the real highlight of this beautifully focused recital is Rachmaninov's last solo piano work, his Variations on a Theme of Corelli (1931).

Musically, it's a masterpiece, as versicoloured as the Paganini Rhapsody and not a tad less appealing. Cherkassky's interpretation is prodigiously comprehensive. Check out the stormier variations, and you could as well be listening to the composer himself; then, beam up to 8'50'' (on track 8) and suddenly you're in a smoky hotel bar with George Gershwin for company. Rachmaninov had finally braved the 20th century - not as a "natural", but as an immigrant dignitary being led through the city by a trusted friend. Fifty-five years on and Cherkassky, an habitual city-dweller, tells the tale as if it were his own.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in