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CD Review
Gioachino Rossini
Péchés de vieillesse, Volume 4
- Un Rien #1-24
Stefan Irmer, piano
Dabringhaus & Grimm MDG6181260-2 79m DDD
Stefan Irmer arrives at his fourth volume of Rossini piano music and what a wonderful and entertaining series this is turning out to be! This time, we have twenty four piano pieces that are all relaxing and wonderfully witty, and Irmer is definitely up to the task of making this collection one of the most desirable on disc.
The pianist also writes the notes with considerable charm and he delves into the mystery and beauty of this wonderful cycle. All pieces are very enjoyable but some are better than others especially the delightful #12, 'Danse Siberienne' or #15 which is a humorous German Dance. The cycle may be listened to as a whole, or individually but the sheer enjoyment to be had out of the music is quite ravishing on any count.
The recording is excellent with a fine stage for the piano and all in all, I believe that this disc will complement the three previous volumes already recorded by Irmer quite nicely. Chandos has started their own series of Rossini piano music so it would be interesting to make comparisons with this MD&G series at a later stage.
Copyright © 2004, Gerald Fenech
