Piano Fantasies
Navona, 2021
9/10
The Ukranian-born pianist Pavel Gintov demonstrates a strong familiarity with his instrument here, as he interprets many time honored compositions that span from Baroque through the late Romantic era.
“Fantasia in C minor, BWV 906” leads the listen with swift and dynamic keys, where Gintov’s interpretation of the Johann Sebastian Bach composition is quite stunning in its meticulous nature, and “Fantasia in C major, H. 284” follows with both quick piano acrobatics as well as calm moments of intimacy, as Gintov certainly does justice to the Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach original.
Elsewhere, “Fantasia in F minor, K. 608”, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, offers a charming and even reflective climate of fascinating progression, while Frederic Chopin’s “Fantasy in F minor, Op. 49” radiates much beauty from both the soft and firm keys that are manipulated with the utmost care.
Landing near the end, “Sonata-Fantasy No. 2 Op. 60 I. Andante. Allegro molto” flows with a dizzying display of complicated but exciting playing, and “Fantasy in B minor, Op. 28” finishes the listen with no lack of melody in its harmonic and rich exit.
The list of composers present here is an impressive one, and Gintov certainly illuminates the many strengths of the pieces, while injecting his own sublime presence into a very impressive piano listen.
Travels well with: Paul Paccione- Music For Piano; Nicki Roman- Unquiet Waters