"Yevgeny Sudbin's new Rachmaninov disc is truly wonderful. His playing is audacious, stimulating, heartfelt and utterly alive in every moment." Stephen Hough
When we released Yevgeny Sudbin’s début disc earlier this year, it caused a sensation. Garnering top marks in a number of international magazines, the interpretations of the 25-year-old Russian pianist were compared with those of Horowitz and Pletnev in glowing terms. Gramophone magazine made the disc (BIS-CD-1508) its Editor’s Choice and described it as ”arguably among the finest, certainly most enjoyable of all Scarlatti recitals." Now Sudbin – who earlier this year signed a 5 year exclusive contract with BIS – gives us the opportunity to experience his artistry in a completely different context. Taking on some of his compatriot Rachmaninov’s most demanding works for solo piano – Sonata No. 2 and the less well-known Chopin Variations – he mixes them with shorter pieces in a varied programme. In his own liner notes the performer describes the works as ”music which always communicates at a deeply personal level and goes to the very root of human emotion.” For this recording Sudbin has taken as a motto Rachmaninov’s own words: ‘Music must first and foremost be loved, it must come from the heart and it must be directed to the heart.’ The praise – above – from great pianist and Rachmaninov interpreter Stephen Hough – is the proof that he has succeeded in his purpose!
Some press voices:
"A signal addition to the Rachmaninov catalogue by one of the most fascinating and auspiciously talented pianists of the younger generation... he approaches Rachmaninov with a blend of sensitive affinity and ardent audacity that yields huge rewards." The Daily Telegraph, 12 November 2005
"This is a triumphant follow-up to Sudbin's Scarlatti and confirms him as one of the most important pianistic talents of our time and he's still only 25." International Record Review, November 2005
"It's hard to know what to admire most on this dazzling recital from the 25-year-old Russian pianist: his subtle range of colours, the clarity and finesse of fingering, the imaginative insights, the passion and the repertoire." The Times, 4 November 2005
"Rachmaninov's Second Sonata requires fingers of steel and a heart of gold, qualities that Yevgeny Sudbin seems to possess in abundance. Not only does he outgun even the mighty Horowitz, ... Sudbin's reading manages to make the Sonata's impulsive changeability seem utterly convincing." Classic FM Magazine, November 2005
"Here, surely, is a young virtuoso in the widest, most encompassing sense... Sudbin evinces a deft and super-sensitive virtuosity; and ... creates an entirely individual aura." The Gramophone, November 2005
”Yevgeny Sudbin affirme avec ce disque une personnalité originale et attachante.” Le Monde de la Musique, November 2005
"Sudbins kürzlich erschienene zweite CD ... muss ... zu den pianistischen Highlights des Jahres gezählt werden ... [Seine] Interpretationen setzen neue Standards in der Rachmaninoff-Rezeption." klassik.com
Please note: The music on this Hybrid Super Audio CD can be played back in Stereo (CD and SACD) as well as in 5.0 Surround sound (SACD).
