New Hyperion release: Ibragimova/Osborne Prokofiev Violin Sonatas

[mkrzych]

Hello,

What do you think about this recording recently available on Hyperion label: Prokofiev: Violin Sonatas - CDA67514 - Serge Prokofiev (1891-1953) - Hyperion Records - MP3 and Lossless downloads

 

 

It's available in 24/96 resolution and to me it's quite well played!

[Russell_L]

Just downloaded the 96/24 and will have a listen tonight. (Good price, too!) I love Prokofiev's orchestral and solo-piano music but am pretty unfamiliar with his chamber stuff. Ibragimova and Osborne are great artists, though, so I'm sure this album will be good.

 

Russell

[mkrzych]

Just downloaded the 96/24 and will have a listen tonight. (Good price, too!) I love Prokofiev's orchestral and solo-piano music but am pretty unfamiliar with his chamber stuff. Ibragimova and Osborne are great artists, though, so I'm sure this album will be good.

 

Russell

 

Give us your thoughts after listening please.

[burnspbesq]

Thanks for the reminder. I'll be jumping on this. Ibragimova's Beethoven violin sonatas (with Cedric Thibergien, on Wigmore Hall Live) are excellent.

[Russell_L]

Give us your thoughts after listening please.

 

I really, really enjoyed this. As I mentioned, the music is unfamiliar to me, so I can’t really critique the performances as compared with others, but they sounded good to me. I was especially impressed by the first movement of the first sonata, which was grim and brooding in the manner of late Shostakovich. I also loved the second movement of the second sonata: a lithe and virtuostic presto performed excitingly by Ibragimova and Osborne. Both performers sounded really intense and committed throughout.

 

Sound quality was very fine and nicely balanced as well, with the violin not right on top of the mic as in some other, similar recordings. As a result, the violin tone was beautifully delicate and sweet. The piano seemed a little closer, with warm and full-bodied tone. This one’s a keeper!

 

Here’s a mini-review on another site that I frequent:

 

New hi-rez Prokofiev Violin Sonatas with Pouty Lips - Chris from Lafayette - Music Lane

 

Russell

[mkrzych]

Give us your thoughts after listening please.

 

I really, really enjoyed this. As I mentioned, the music is unfamiliar to me, so I can’t really critique the performances as compared with others, but they sounded good to me. I was especially impressed by the first movement of the first sonata, which was grim and brooding in the manner of late Shostakovich. I also loved the second movement of the second sonata: a lithe and virtuostic presto performed excitingly by Ibragimova and Osborne. Both performers sounded really intense and committed throughout.

 

Sound quality was very fine and nicely balanced as well, with the violin not right on top of the mic as in some other, similar recordings. As a result, the violin tone was beautifully delicate and sweet. The piano seemed a little closer, with warm and full-bodied tone. This one’s a keeper!

 

Here’s a mini-review on another site that I frequent:

 

New hi-rez Prokofiev Violin Sonatas with Pouty Lips - Chris from Lafayette - Music Lane

 

Russell

 

Awesome. I've noticed similar rhings and now I think I'm gonna buy it. I like Ibragimova and thi recording seems to be her one of the best at her top of the career.

[burnspbesq]

I really, really enjoyed this. As I mentioned, the music is unfamiliar to me, so I can’t really critique the performances as compared with others, but they sounded good to me. I was especially impressed by the first movement of the first sonata, which was grim and brooding in the manner of late Shostakovich. I also loved the second movement of the second sonata: a lithe and virtuostic presto performed excitingly by Ibragimova and Osborne. Both performers sounded really intense and committed throughout.

 

Sound quality was very fine and nicely balanced as well, with the violin not right on top of the mic as in some other, similar recordings. As a result, the violin tone was beautifully delicate and sweet. The piano seemed a little closer, with warm and full-bodied tone. This one’s a keeper!

 

Here’s a mini-review on another site that I frequent:

 

New hi-rez Prokofiev Violin Sonatas with Pouty Lips - Chris from Lafayette - Music Lane

 

Russell

 

Pouty Lips???

 

Oh, dear.

 

That aside, I really enjoyed my first listen to this recording. I think that Ibragimova and Osborne do an especially good job at illuminating the humorous touches in the D Major.

[Hailey]

FWIW, I can't disagree strongly enough. I bought this recording after reading this thread.

 

Bottom line: I wish I could get my money back.

 

First, a word about the recording itself. It strikes me as terribly unbalanced, with piano overwhelming violin, just drowning it in places. Osborne is a perfectly fine accompanist, but he isn't sufficiently interesting, imo, to carry an album, as he seems to in this instance.

 

As for Ibragimova...Until this introduction, I'd never heard her play. Now, I've no interest in hearing from her again. She may be hot to look at, but what she offers is A+ conservatory fiddling--technically correct, musically inert--and nothing more.

 

This is pretty Prokofiev. It's Facebook "like this" Prokofiev. It's Prokofiev refracted through a life unacquainted with suffering, savagery, and shit. It's Prokofiev stripped of pathos and, therefore, wit. It's just a bore.

 

Compare this recording to those of Stern and Oistrakh and you'll see what I mean.

 

Or perhaps not. In any event, deleting ol' "Pouty Lips" from my drive. Ugh.

[Hailey]

FWIW, I can't disagree strongly enough. I bought this recording after reading this thread.

 

Bottom line: I wish I could get my money back.

 

First, a word about the recording itself. It strikes me as terribly unbalanced, with piano overwhelming violin, just drowning it in places. Osborne is a perfectly fine accompanist, but he isn't sufficiently interesting, imo, to carry an album, as he seems to in this instance.

 

As for Ibragimova...Until this introduction, I'd never heard her play. Now, I've no interest in hearing from her again. She may be hot to look at, but what she offers is A+ conservatory fiddling--technically correct, musically inert--and nothing more.

 

This is pretty Prokofiev. It's Facebook "like this" Prokofiev. It's Prokofiev refracted through a life unacquainted with suffering, savagery, and shit. It's Prokofiev stripped of pathos and, therefore, wit. It's just a bore.

 

Compare this recording to those of Stern and Oistrakh and you'll see what I mean.

 

Or perhaps not. In any event, deleting ol' "Pouty Lips" from my drive. Ugh.

 

P.S. I'm putting in for a chargeback on my CC.

[mkrzych]

Well, your miles may vary.

[Hailey]

Well, your miles may vary.

 

Lol. That's for sure!

[christopher3393]

The official classical chart | Classical-Music.com

[Hailey]

The official classical chart | Classical-Music.com

 

It's because she's (sorta) hot-looking. I'm not swayed, however. Perhaps because this is not a visual medium. Or, perhaps, because my gf's hotter...

[Musicophile]

It's because she's (sorta) hot-looking. I'm not swayed, however. Perhaps because this is not a visual medium. Or, perhaps, because my gf's hotter...

It's not (only) the looks: this recording has been elected recording of the month by Gramophone.

[Moosbrugger]

I think this is terrific. Maybe because I don't really like Prokofiev.

(I also downloaded the Bach Sonatas & Partitas. I quick listen of the beginning of Partita No.2, I thought the violin sounded thin.)