Search - The Art of Emil Gilels on DVD

Here we can see the Gilels whom even Richter admired!

BLee | HK | 05/30/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Recorded when Gilels was still in his very prime. Here we can see why Gilels rank fairly and squarely one of the greatest pianists of the century. The best film released on Gilels so far, musically and sound-wise, far better than those recorded in Moscow in his later years..."

A Great Pianist

P. C. Jones | Indiana | 01/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a wonderful video--especially because the camera angles provide such a good view of Gilels' technique. His bio-mechanics are beautiful to watch--efficient and economical.

Those who prefer a more "performance-practice" oriented approach to Mozart may quibble with some of his interpretative choices. The playing, nevertheless, is representative of a special school in a special time and never ceases to be interesting and musical. The performance of the Tschaikowsky Concerto is flamboyant and dramatic--as it should be."

Best track not listed!--Bach-Busoni BWV532

F. Horne | 07/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bach or Gilels fans will surely want to buy this DVD. The Editor's content listing (above) fails to include what I feel is the very best track on this DVD--the Bach-Busoni Prelude and Fugue in D Major, BWV532. It is the first track on the DVD, 12-13 minutes long, and it is incendiary. Gilels liked to open his recitals in the late 60's with this piece, and surely it is a signature piece. It is absolutely sensational--you won't be able to take your eyes off the screen as he gets into the fugue. To find a more accurate listing of the contents, see here,

http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=123828

I would buy this DVD for the Bach transcription alone. Truth in reviewing: There is what appears to be about a 2-3 second bad place on the video which your player will skip. It doesn't matter--your heart will be in your mouth when he finishes this incandescent Bach playing (I'm running out of adjectives). Plus, it's not like listening to a CD--it is real like you are there. The concert hall is intimate, you can see the trees outdoors vaguely through a window behind the pianist, and the camera puts you on the front row.

Gilels has a unique timbre to his playing. It's not exactly like Sviatoslov Richter, but it's reminiscent in the sense that he has that same ability to play large and yet play from the heart. And it reaches into your heart.

F. Horne"