Martino Tirimo – Alto CD

Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No.2 in C minor, Op.18 Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini, Op.43

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:47:04 +0000

‘A passionately committed performance … outstanding recommendation’ [BBC Radio]; ‘I enjoyed the whole sweep of his conception, his commanding pianism and complete sympathy with the music … I enjoyed both performances enormously … The recording has an overall sound that is full and rich’ [Gramophone] ‘this is the best recording of the Paganini Rhapsody I’ve ever heard’. [Fanfare, USA]

Piano Concerto No.2 in C minor, Op.18 [34:11]

[1] Moderato 10:47

[2] Adagio sostenuto 11:47

[3] Allegro scherzando 11:36

Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini, Op.43 [23:43]

[4] Introduction – Variation 1 – Theme – Variations 2-6 3:32

[5] Variations 7-11 4:34

[6] Variations 12-15 3:46

[7] Variations 16-18 6:21

[8] Variations 19-24 5:28

Brahms Piano Concertos Nos.1 and 2*

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:47:04 +0000

“These present an even more formidable achievement …readings that are strong and positive as well as thoughtful … [No.1] “crisp, lifted rhythms and a raptness to compare with Barenboim and Arrau, hold one’s attention as a live performance would” [No.2] “That sense of spontaneity is similarly conveyed in the performance of the Second Concerto … formidable technique and warm, positive temperament …Tirimo is far from reticent as a soloist. He gives a commanding account” (both: Edward Greenfield / Gramophone & both 3 stars Penguin Guide) [2nd] “takes its place among three or four best versions of this much-recorded work” (High Fidelity, USA)

Disc 1: [55:14]

Brahms Piano Concerto No.1 in D minor Op.15

[1] Maestoso 25:14

[2] Adagio 16:26

[3] Rondo (allegro non troppo) 13:27

Recorded April 1980; Producer: Barry McCann; Engineer: Mike Clements

Disc 2: [49:30]

Brahms Piano Concerto No.2 in B flat Op.83*

[1] Allegro non troppo 18:08

[2] Allegro 8:48

[3] Andante 13:14

[4] Allegro grazioso 9:16

Recorded August 1974; Producer & Engineer: Brian Culverhouse

Debussy: 20 Favourites for Piano

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:44:05 +0000

“this may yet prove to be one of the finest Debussy cycles on record” “Tirimo has a quite exceptional temperamental affinity … (he takes) us into Debussy’s world and lets us experience its magic … do acquire it if you appreciate fine Debussy playing” (Gramophone) “probably first choice for those wanting a modern digital recording of the complete set…playing is very fine, recording most realistic and natural” (Penguin Guide)

[1] Clair de Lune (from Suite Bergamasque) 5:23

Children’s Corner Suite (16:27)

[2] Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum 2:24
[3] Jimbo’s Lullaby 3:31
[4] Serenade for the Doll 2:33
[5] The Snow is Dancing 2:31
[6] The Little Shepherd 2:32
[7] The Golliwog’s Cakewalk 2:52
[8] Arabesque No.1 4:29

Preludes (selection from Book I)

[9] The Hills of Anacapri / Les Collines d’Anacapri 3:10
[10] Girl with the flaxen hair / Fille aux cheveaux de Lin 2:45
[11] The Interrupted Serenade / La Sérénade Interrompu 2:39
[12] The Submerged Cathedral / La Cathédrale Engloutie 5:57
[13] Minstrels 2:26
[14] Général Lavine – Eccentric (from Book II) 2:50

Estampes

[15] Pagodes 5:56
[16] An Evening in Granada (La Soirée dans Grenade) 6:04
[17] Gardens in the Rain (Jardins sous la Pluie) 3:51

Images

[18] Reflections in the Water (Reflets dans l’eau) (Book I) 5:24
[19] Goldfish (Poissons d’or) (Book II) 4:26
[20] The Happy Island (L’Isle Joyeuse) 6:31

Debussy: Suite Bergamasque & more

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:41:04 +0000

“Tirimo has a quite exceptional temperamental affinity with Debussy, with a fine ear for resonance and sonority, and exquisite subtlety of touch. He lavishes loving care on the most unassuming miniature… and he can bring the most familiar bonbon to life without resort to trickery—hear the languid elegance and velvety cantabile of Clair de lune, for example. No less impressive is his marvelously subtle account of the concluding ‘Toccata’ from Pour le piano…This is not calculated to make you gasp in amazement; but what it does provoke, with remarkable consistency, is smiles of recognition at the revelation of unsuspected beauty” © Gramophone

Suite Bergamasque

1. I. Prélude 4.24
2. II. Menuet 4.39
3. III. Clair De Lune 5.20
4. IV. Passe-pied 4.17
5. Images Oubliées (1894): Lent 3.54
6. Images Oubliées (1894): Vif 4.19
7. Révérie 4.05
8. Danse (Tarantelle styrienne) 5.25
9. Première Arabesque 4.30
10. Deuxième Arabesque 3.42
11. Ballade 6.43
12. Valse Romantique 3.12
13. Nocturne 6.44
14. Danse Bohémienne 2.20

Pour le Piano – Suite

15. I. Prélude 4.36
16. II. Sarabande 4.59
17. III. Toccata 4.34

Chopin: Piano Concertos

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:36:57 +0000

***”[Martino] Tirimo’s [recording of the Chopin piano concertos] ranks alongside Perahia and Zimerman… poetic feeling paramount. … [E]xquisite delicacy … spontanteity in every bar… musing reverie, scintillatingly alive… strong orchestral support and sparkling dance rhythms.”—Penguin Guide

In 1994, Martino Tirimo, then a relatively little-known pianist, bowled over the critics with his recording of the two Chopin Piano Concertos — and garnered an international following as a result. This hard-to-find recording returns to international availability on Alto — at a value price!

Frédéric Chopin

Piano Concerto No.1 in e minor, Op.11

1 – Allegro maestoso
2 – Romanza. Larghetto
3 – Rondo. Vivace

Piano Concerto No.2 in f minor, Op.21

1 – Allegro vivace
2 – Larghetto
3 – Allegro vivace

Recorded at All Saints, Petersham
Producer: Marian Freeman
Engineer: Andrew Hallifax
Originally released on Conifer