Piano Forum

Piano Board => Repertoire => Topic started by: cherub_rocker1979 on April 05, 2008, 02:51:36 AM

Title: Good news for Bortkiewicz fans!
Post by: cherub_rocker1979 on April 05, 2008, 02:51:36 AM
Hyperion Records is re-issuing Stephen Coombs' 2 CDs of Bortkiewicz Piano Works. They will be re-released as a 2 CD set for the price of 1. See for yourself:

https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/hypersearch/al.asp?al=CDD22054
Title: Re: Good news for Bortkiewicz fans!
Post by: rachfan on April 05, 2008, 03:31:06 AM
That's terrific news!  The Coombs, Huybregts, and Katsaris CDs have all been unavailable for quite awhile now.  It's great to see this Coombs re-release coming soon. 

P.S.  I just pre-ordered it through Amazon.
Title: Re: Good news for Bortkiewicz fans!
Post by: retrouvailles on April 05, 2008, 03:34:00 AM
Even though I have these, great to see them back for those that don't. Coombs is definitely your man for Bortkiewicz.
Title: Re: Good news for Bortkiewicz fans!
Post by: rachfan on April 05, 2008, 03:56:37 AM
Hi retrouvailles,

I think you're probably right.  Although I've not yet heard Coombs, I did sample the Katsaris CD.  Of course, he had to interpret the music from scratch (like those of us who also play this music), but I heard some idiosyncracies that seemed to have no basis in the scores.  Also, his renditions seem to remain Earthbound--they don't soar.  Just my opinion.
Title: Re: Good news for Bortkiewicz fans!
Post by: retrouvailles on April 05, 2008, 04:04:04 AM
Completely agreed. Katsaris's playing of Bortkiewicz is almost a travesty at times because of his (wild) idiosyncracies. Huybregts I would say is a bit dull, as is Klass Trapman, another who has a big Bortkiewicz set. We need more pianists like Coombs to play his music.
Title: Re: Good news for Bortkiewicz fans!
Post by: cherub_rocker1979 on April 05, 2008, 10:51:58 PM
Yes, I also have these CDs, as well as the rest of the "Russian Piano Portraits" discs--four CDs of Glazunov, one of Liadov, one of Arensky, and one of Scriabin.

These re-issues should benefit people who want to have the Bortkiewicz discs, as well as Hyperion, who needs the money since they were sued.
Title: Re: Good news for Bortkiewicz fans!
Post by: kitty on the keys on April 07, 2008, 02:24:39 PM
Thank you for that information!!!!!! I was going to post a question on any recordings. So are there Other CD's available besides the Coombs. I have only heard 1 piece by this composer and I am curious to here more. Thanks for all your help!!

Kitty on the Keys
Title: Re: Good news for Bortkiewicz fans!
Post by: dnephi on April 07, 2008, 02:50:06 PM
I think that the Katsaris disk is some exceptional playing.  I am almost convinced to learn a piece. 

Unless he has a piece that's an amazing finger workout in both hands.  I'd give that serious consideration.
Title: Re: Good news for Bortkiewicz fans!
Post by: cherub_rocker1979 on April 07, 2008, 04:06:37 PM
Thank you for that information!!!!!! I was going to post a question on any recordings. So are there Other CD's available besides the Coombs. I have only heard 1 piece by this composer and I am curious to here more. Thanks for all your help!!

Kitty on the Keys

I've posted a couple Bortkiewicz recordings in the Audition Room and some other users have posted some recordings as well.  Actually, I would say we've got quite a bit of his music in our forum considering, how obscure this music is.