ALBUM reviews

NICHOLAS ANGELICH

Prokofiev: Sonata No 8; Visions fugitives; Ten Pieces from Romeo and Juliet Op 75 (excerpts)

Erato 0190295267681

In the first movement of Sonata No 8 (the last of Prokofiev’s trilogy of ‘War Sonatas’) Nicholas Angelich certainly brings out the dreamy quality of the slower music – too slow, I wondered (the marking is Andante), if persuasive; yet, the alternating quicker contrasts, even if played with infallible technique, lack bite and the overall effect, over 18 minutes, borders on blandness. Angelich’s expressive tendencies come into their own in the combine for gripping listening: so much packed into short-form designs, and Angelich ensures that each note has significance. There not being much room left on the disc, Angelich chooses four of the , successful composer-made transcriptions from his ballet score: the Knights are in place and Angelich ensures that ‘Romeo and Juliet before Parting’ is an emotional and time-taken affair.