Review: Gavrilov's Hit and (Sometimes) Miss DG Recordings

Andrei Gavrilov's DG legacy was cut short by his retirement from active concertizing, and that makes what we have all the more interesting. This DG Eloquence box contains 10 CDs and some splendid performances--Bach, Grieg, Ravel--and some less so, but if you're a piano maven there's a lot to be said for listening to an undeniable talent struggling to define itself.

[@jdistler2]

Thanks for mentioning my review, Dave! I'd love to see Warner do a complete Gavrilov box as well. Although Gavrilov has certainly kept a low profile since his DG days, there is at least one relatively recent disc that contains what is arguably the most brutal and insensitive Schumann Symphonic Etudes in captivity!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Still banging away, I guess...

[@hhk01]

Heard him here with our local forces in Rach 2. I will never forget, esp. just the beginning. From so soft to so powerful. A great experience. A Russian conductor told me that his teacher (Richter!) said of him:
very talented, but he only listens to his own recordings...

[@neilford99]

His teacher was lev Naumoff. He met Richter later. He wrote a book called "fIra un ich" which chronicles his life and his friendship with Richter.

[@pattelino9466]

Actually that wouldn't surprise me 😂

[@fulltongrace7899]

After hearing this video, I relistened to my EMI recording of an all Ravel program of Gavrilov playing the Left Hand Concerto , Pavanne…. and Gaspard De La Nuit, with Simon Rattle/LSO backing the concerto.
An excellent recording and my introduction to Gaspard. A mesmerising piece.

[@davidkalinov4570]

Thanks for the informative review, Dave!
It will be great making more reviews for solo piano or other great pianists.

[@zdl1965]

An EMI box-set from Gavrilov is overdue. A great talent who went OTT somewhere along the way. His DG legacy is interesting but not as prodigious as his earlier EMI legacy.

[@cristianoneto1563]

Hi David, since you mentioned "Gaspard de la nuit", I take the opportunity to request the so awaited video of "ideal" ravel solo piano music you promised to make, when you did the same for his orchestral works. Thank you so much.