Feb 24, 2013
This disc has been programmed with great care, the more effusive transcriptions sandwiched between those of interior delight, such as Brassin’s delicately baroque Waldweben from Siegfried. Placing that alongside the dark cortège of Busoni’s Trauermarsch is equally inspired, for it highlights the composers’ different styles and how fluently Marin adapts to their varying demands. His control of touch and dynamics are most atmospherically demonstrated as the funeral procession dissolves into the grieving mists. What better way to end this ear-catching collection than with the amplitude, splendour and simple piety of Liszt’s overture to Tannhäuser? Once again I was struck by Marin’s ability to look beyond the many points of light that make up the Abbé’s glittered score and find so much warmth and feeling there. The work proceeds with unforced vigour and momentum towards a chanderliered apotheosis. Quite the most scruff-grabbing pianism I’ve heard in ages, and all so well recorded too. Magic and fire aplenty; Risto-Matti Marin is a pianist of style and substance.
Dan Morgan, www.musicweb-international.com
Feb 22, 2013
Marinin jyhkeälle mutta riittävän erottelukykyiselle pianismille Wagner-sovitukset ovat paras mahdollinen temmellyskenttä. Tausigin Valkyyrioiden ratsastus on hengästyttävää pianotekniikan ja orkestraalisen pauhun vyörytystä kaasu pohjassa; Schellingin Tristan ja Isolde -alkusoitossa pelkistetyt melodiat, ylimaallinen kauneus ja painokkaat iskut ovat täydellisessä tasapainossa; Busonin Surumarssin synkät alkusävelet todistavat hyvästä sointiväriaistista. Levyn vaikuttavimpia hetkiä ovat varmaotteiset siirtymät massiivisesta äänivallista lempeään pianissimoon. Teosten ja etenkin soiton paras ansio on silti se, ettei kuulija jää kaipaamaan orkesteria. Tämä ei ole orkesterimusiikkia, jota yritetään matkia pianolla, vaan pianomusiikkia, jossa säihkyvät orkestraaliset värit.
Kare Eskola, Yle, 22.2.2013
Jan 24, 2013
“The very characteristic orchestral sonority of Wagner’s music has been a challenge for piano transcribers over the years. Here is a fascinating set of transcriptions played by a Finnish pianist that starts off with a transcription by a fellow Finn. Jukka Nykänen (born 1976) takes Liszt as his starting point, with deep bass growls; the full scope of the piano is utilized, resulting in an orchestral-scale storm. Marin has technique to spare, and the recording is astonishing in its presence. Liszt himself contributes the Spinning Song transcription, its atmosphere supremely captured here by Marin.
CC, International Piano, 1–2/2013
Dec 27, 2012
If you like and enjoy the Bach, Chopin, and Debussy Preludes, appreciate the similarities and differences among them, and admire the tradition of the form itself and enjoy hearing what different composers do with it, you will likely also enjoy and like all of these.
Marvin J. Ward, http://cvnc.org 27.12.2012
Nov 24, 2011
Stradal’s transcriptions are both scrupulously accurate and strutted in vaulting virtuoso demands to carry over, with the fullest possible effect, the symphonic grandeurs of the originals and put them in the hands of pianists equal to them. Risto-Matti Marin is such a pianist. One marvels at the stamina that can keep such a plethora of detail in place with such relentless élan; at his narrative shaping, which can turn up an already withering heat, so to speak, at climactic moments; at his overarching persuasiveness.
Adrian Corleonis, Fanfare, Nov–Dec 2011
Nov 3, 2011
Kuten asiaan kuuluuu, Whittallin teos kunnioittaa soolopianoteosten perinnettä. Vaikutteet rönsyilevät Chopinistä impressionistien kautta Reichin minimalismiin. Whittallin oma ääni kuitenkin erottuu selvästi. Hän rakastaa modernismin parhaita paloja muttei pelkää romanttista paatosta; hän leikittelee pop-estetiikalla mutta janoaa syvällisyyttä. Whittall painottaa sointivärejä ja atmosfäärejä, ja siksi pianopreludi on hänelle erittäin sopiva ilmaisumuoto. Tuoreen kuuloinen sointimagia pianolla ei ole helppoa, mutta Whittall osaa asiansa. Whittallin preludeille on vaikea kuvitella osuvampaa tulkkia kuin Risto-Matti Marin, jolla on napakka kosketus, romanttinen väriaisti ja laaja kokemus pianomusiikin kulta-ajasta.
Kare Eskola, Yle, 3.11.2011
