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| DAG ACHATZ | mp3.com/achatz |
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From the The St. Petersburg Times , December 16, 2001:
Year-end CD recommendations:
STRAVINSKY: The Rite of Spring; Firebird Suite; Dag Achatz, pianist (BIS CD 188)
"At the top of my list are Swedish pianist Dag Achatz's extraordinary, technicolor performances of Stravinsky's famous orchestral works, which Achatz transcribed from the original scores. They remain among the great wonders of the musical world. Achatz's astonishing interpretive and technical command will give anyone pause to figure out just how anyone could actually play these phenomenally difficult works. The music is as energetic, boisterous, joyful and gripping as Achatz's playing. This recording has enjoyed a long shelf life -- more than 20 years -- and is as much a favorite of the public as it is for connoisseurs. Given just how audaciously the music rocks, with its driving, pugnacious rhythms punctuated by mysterious asides, this makes a perfect introduction to the classics, especially for teenagers. Also recommended: Achatz's bravura transcription of Leonard Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story (BIS CD 352)."
- John Bell Young
"This recording by Dag Achatz of his outstanding interpretation of the Rite of Spring is excellent in every respect and should be in my opinion an invaluable addition to the repertoire of contemporary piano music."
- Soulima Stravinsky
"Ce diable d'interpret-arrangeur est un phenomene." -Diapason, Paris. "You need hear only a few minutes of this recording to recognize Dag Achatz as not only a formidable technician but also a genuine pianist and musician with an especially fine ear for timbre...an iridescent palette of tone colors that reveal him to be an exceptionally sensitive and subtle artist."
- Paul Moor
"Playing of the very highest calibre, of real insight and cultivated sensitivity that is extremely rare...This is intimate and deeply personal playing that emanates from an inner committment. Achatz's use of sustaining pedal is absolutely impeccable...A disc of highly distinguished playing of the greatest artistic individuality"
-James Methuen-Campbell
"He takes liberties and toys with his tunes [in the Gershwin] that no one but the composer and/or the very finest of jazz musicians would dare attempt." Gramophone "Achatz puts his musicianship before his sleight-of-hand artistry. He demonstrates a blazing technique but never at the expense of the piece. All of the passion and complexity of Stravinsky's music is still there; how Achatz so successfully muscled it all in I will never understand." Esquire To view Dag Achatz in a performance of the entire Rite of Spring (in two parts), filmed in Beijing in August 2001, go to:
PART 1 - Achatz plays Rite of Spring, Beijing, August 2001
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