Alexander Melnikov, piano
Alexander Melnikov's first recording for harmonia mundi, originally part of our young artists' series Les Nouveaux Interpretes, released in May 2006.
There is no better guide to Russia's most mysterious composer than this pianist...These Sonatas and exquisite trifles are played with poise and grace.
Melnikov is [a] poised, unruffled, almost withdrawn performer. His playing is soft, ethereal; his pauses can be as intense as the loudest chords. Hearing Melnikov’s Messe noire is a little bit like standing next to a bomb you know will explode, but the clock keeps ticking and the bomb keeps not exploding.
Melnikov creates a scary world of angst and despair … the menacing trills and jagged chords sound like a madman let loose. It is Melnikov’s triumph that he can create this impression without fighting the instrument, and even in the most heavily pedalled passages, he manages to bring out a sonorous sound from the somewhat brightly tuned piano … idiomatically spot on.
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