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Recordings

M. Ravel: Compared; Sonatine, Gaspard de la Nuit, Menuet antique, Le Tombeau de Couperin

M. Ravel: Compared; Sonatine, Gaspard de la Nuit, Menuet antique, Le Tombeau de Couperin

Channel Classics CCS SA 31612 2CD

Giacometti’s fingerwork and articulation are very precise (...) ‘Toccata’ of Ravel’s Le Tombeau is by far the most difficult and virtuosic of the three, and Giacometti meets its pianistic demands with secure exuberance. (...) an interesting and valuable release.
International Record Review

(...) The recording quality is superb, bringing out the sounds of these different pianos to their best advantage (...) An engaging project. 
American Record Guide

(...) The new cd is unusual and interesting, the first one of its kind. (...)
Rhythm Planet

Dat de Érard en de Steinway meer verschillen dan overeenkomsten vertonen krijgt in deze vertolkingen nog een extra dimensie dankzij het geciseleerde, fijnzinnige (sonatine!) maar menigmaal ook overdonderende (Gaspard!) spel van Giacometti. (...) Wie, zoals Giacometti, ook nog stilistisch verbeeldingsvol en met een feilloze techniek deze stukken interpreteert, creëert uitsluitend klankjuwelen die de toehoorder meeslepen in hun ongekende pracht. Dit zijn verkenningen van de hoogste muzikale orde die bovendien prachtig zijn vastgelegd.
Opusklassiek

(...) The Steinway’s sound is crisper and burlier, the Érard’s more singing and lyrical. (...) Fascinating.
The Absolute Sound

(...) For my ideal Giacometti performance of La Tombeau de Couperin, I choose for the Érard for the Prélude’s more pronounced contrasts between the hands and the Toccata’s more forceful repeated notes. On the other hand, the Steinway Forlane movement seems more fluid and less sectionalized next to its Érard counterpart. In all, an absorbing and often inspired release.
Classics Today

(...) elk instrument vraagt om een andere benadering (...) het gaat hier om twee magistrale uitvoeringen door Paolo Giacometti (...)
Akkoord

(...) Beide opnames  zijn mooi, alleen al vanwege het heldere, bevlogen, haast eerbiedige en uitgebalanceerde spel van Paolo Giacometti.
Luister

Welke van de twee? Dat is het centrale vraagstuk van het fraaie Ravelalbum van pianist Paolo Giacomett. (...) Op beide instrumenten speelt Giacometti Ravel elegant, vloeiend en transparant. (...) 
Klassiek Zaken

Giacometti’s doppelter Recital offenbart erstaunliche Einsichten (...) Eine Aufschlussreiche Doppel-CD, die Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede verschiedener Flügel aufzeigt – und gleichseitig belegt, dass es vor allem der Interpret ist, der das Stück adäquat authemtisch umzusetzen hat.
Blog.codaex.de

(...) een interessante dubbel-cd. (...) Welke interpretatie is het mooist? Dat is moeilijk kiezen, want Giacometti laat van deze muziek overtuigende interpretaties horen.
Nederlands Dagblad

Fascinerend hoe Giacometti Ravels Sonatine, Gaspard de la Nuit, Menuet antique en Le tombeau de Couperin aan een vergelijking onderwerpt.
Volkskrant.nl

The  program is an interesting one (...) This comparison effort made me want to hear the same piano music recorded in hi-res on several modern concert grands, including Bodendorfer and Fazoli. (...) I am looking forward to the second volume by Giacometti.
Audiophile Audition

Robert Schumann: Davidsbündlertänze, Op. 6; Arabeske, Op. 18; Gesänge der Frühe, Op. 133

Robert Schumann: Davidsbündlertänze, Op. 6; Arabeske, Op. 18; Gesänge der Frühe, Op. 133

Channel Classics CCS SA 28709 (SACD)

AUDIOPHILE AUDITION five stars mark:
... a beautiful performance, easily equal to the best ones on the market, including Kempff and Haskil among others.

... I have heard only one other recording that comes close to matching this one ... Schumann of great conviction and substance ...

Gioacchino Rossini: Complete pianoworks (vol. 8) - Quatre Hors d'Oeuvre, Quatre Mendiants

Gioacchino Rossini: Complete pianoworks (vol. 8) - Quatre Hors d'Oeuvre, Quatre Mendiants

Channel Classics CCS 24907 (SACD)

CLASSICS TODAY 10/10 mark:
... few discs have given me more unalloyed pleasure than Paolo Giacometti's Rossini piano music series for Channel Classics.

... no one matches Giacometti in terms of consistency, brilliance, choice of instrument, and stylishness ...

Gioacchino Rossini: Complete pianoworks (vol. 7) - Album de Château

Gioacchino Rossini: Complete pianoworks (vol. 7) - Album de Château

Channel Classics CCS 24106 (SACD)

MUSICA "5 stelle" award:
...a basic contribution to the knowledge of Rossini's art...

CLASSICS TODAY 10/10 mark - "03/2007 disc of the month" - "2007 Best of the Year Selection":
...Paolo Giacometti plays each piece (and they are not easy) with consummate technique and a dry wit that never crosses the boundaries of good taste...his beguiling artistry really does conjure a picture of Rossini and his friends enjoying an evening of good music and good company.

Gioacchino Rossini: Complete pianoworks (vol. 6) - Bolero Tartare

Gioacchino Rossini: Complete pianoworks (vol. 6) - Bolero Tartare

Channel Classics CCS 22705 (SACD)

MUSICA "5 stelle" award:
...a perfect balance between wit and seriousness...an accomplished stage performer...

Brabants Dagblad:
...his play is serious, but at the same time happy and lively. He masters the ten pieces recorded on this CD completely. Again a fabulous performance like in the previous five compilations...

Gioacchino Rossini: Complete pianoworks (vol. 5) - Gymnastique d'écartement

Gioacchino Rossini: Complete pianoworks (vol. 5) - Gymnastique d'écartement

Channel Classics CCS 20504 (SACD)

Pianowereld:
...Rossini has found his ideal performer...

La Médiathèque:
...Paolo Giacometti mérite, au sense vrai du terme, le titre de virtuose...

Gioacchino Rossini: Complete pianoworks (vol. 4) - Quelques riens pour Album

Gioacchino Rossini: Complete pianoworks (vol. 4) - Quelques riens pour Album

Channel Classics CCS 18098 (CD) - CCS 18003 (SACD)

Sydney Morning Herald:
...the real appeal is Giacometti’s playing...Recommended!!

Americal Record Guide:
...Paolo has the right touch, balance, and sense of humor to perform these...

Schumann - Dvorák - Piano Concertos

Schumann - Dvorák - Piano Concertos

Antonin Dvorák - Piano Concerto in G minor, Op. 33 (B 63)
Robert Schumann - Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54
Channel Classics CCS 17898 (CD) - CCS 17802 (SACD)

American Record Guide:
...superbly musical performances...

Fanfare:
...one of the most effective performances...

Gramophone:
...one of the best concerto disks I have heard in a long while...

Robert Schumann: Humoreske in B flat, Op. 20; Toccata in C, Op. 7; Phantasiestücke, Op. 12

Robert Schumann: Humoreske in B flat, Op. 20; Toccata in C, Op. 7; Phantasiestücke, Op. 12

Channel Classics CCS 16798

BBC Music Magazine's Benchmark:
...a standard of sensitivity and intelligence...

Luister:
...a must for music lovers.

Musica:
...a little, unexpectedly fine jewel.

Gioacchino Rossini: Complete pianoworks (vol. 3) - Un petit Train de Plaisir

Gioacchino Rossini: Complete pianoworks (vol. 3) - Un petit Train de Plaisir

Channel Classics CCS 16098

Edison Award 2001:
...a combination of virtuosity, intelligence and delicacy...

MUSICA "5 stelle" award:
...Rossini has finally found his pianist.

Gioacchino Rossini: Complete pianoworks (vol. 2) - L’Album pour les Enfants dégourdis

Gioacchino Rossini: Complete pianoworks (vol. 2) - L’Album pour les Enfants dégourdis

Channel Classics CCS 13898

Parool:
...his play is perfect, elegant...

Luister:
...he has discovered a treasure...

Gioacchino Rossini: Complete pianoworks (vol.1) - L' Album pour les enfants adolescents

Gioacchino Rossini: Complete pianoworks (vol.1) - L' Album pour les enfants adolescents

Channel Classics CCS 12397

MUSICA "5 stelle" award:
...Giacometti knows perfectly what he has to do...

Volkskrant:
...he shows he is one of Netherlands' best pianists.

Luister:
...A welcome addition, highly recommended.

Franz Schubert: Sonata in A minor, Op. 42-D 845; 4 Impromptus, Op. 142

Franz Schubert: Sonata in A minor, Op. 42-D 845; 4 Impromptus, Op. 142

Channel Classics CCS 10697

Early Music Review:
...the quality of the interpretation is arresting... 

Diapason:
...Une lecture fraîche et légère, très delicate, et imaginative... 

Fanfare:
...Giacometti is a dedicated Schubertian and a sensitive musician....

Jacques Widerkehr - The Duosonatas

Jacques Widerkehr - The Duosonatas

(with Bart Schneemann- oboe)
Channel Classics CCS 19204 (SACD)

International Record Review:
 ...I cannot imagine better performances...

Hifi Video Magazine:
...a very pleasant music, a wonderful performance...

Chopin & Mendelssohn - Cello Sonatas

Chopin & Mendelssohn - Cello Sonatas

ONYX4078

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy - Cello Sonata no.2 in D op.58
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy - Song without Words in D op.109
Frederic Chopin - Waltzes op.64 arr. Davydov
Frederic Chopin - Cello Sonata in G minor op.65

Pieter Wispelwey once again joins with Paolo Giacometti, in a programme of Chopin and Mendelssohn. However, there is another great musical figure on this disc – the cellist and composer Karl Davydov, who studied with Mendelssohn’s composer friends Ignaz Moscheles and Ferdinand David. Davydov’s brilliant arrangements of the Chopin Waltzes op.64 form a sparkling interlude between Mendelssohn’s virtuosic Second Sonata, and Chopin’s masterful sonata for cello and piano.

Chopin - Fauré - Poulenc

Chopin - Fauré - Poulenc

Frédéric Chopin - Sonata in G minor, Op. 65
Gabriel Fauré - Élegie in C minor, Op. 24; Romance in A, Op. 69; Pièce in A, Op. 77
Francis Poulenc: Sonata for Violoncello and Piano
(with Pieter Wispelwey - violoncello)
Channel Classics CCS 10797

Diapason d'or:
...les deux musiciens parviennent à un rare exploit:...l'illusion d'une merveilleuse fusion.

Volkskant:
...A top-level duo...

Schubert: Duos in A D574 (arr Wispelwey), Sonata in A minor D821 ‘Arpeggione’, Fantasy in C D934 (arr Wispelwey)

Schubert: Duos in A D574 (arr Wispelwey), Sonata in A minor D821 ‘Arpeggione’, Fantasy in C D934 (arr Wispelwey)

ONYX4046

Duo in A for cello and piano D574 arr.Wispelwey
Sonata in A minor for cello and piano D821 'Arpeggione'
Fantasy in C for cello and piano D934 arr.Wispelwey


Pieter Wispelwey programmes Schubert's popular 'Arpeggione' Sonata with two unique arrangements for cello and piano. The Duo in A and the late masterpiece the Fantasy in C, both originally for violin and piano. These arrangements receive their world premiere recordings in this release. 
Pieter Wispelwey cello and Paolo Giacometti fortepiano. Fortepiano; La Grassa, Viennese School 1815 from Collection Edwin Beunk, Enschede, Netherlands Cello; G.B. Guadagnini, Parma 1760
Franz Schubert: Arpeggione Sonate; 3 Sonatinas, Op. 37

Franz Schubert: Arpeggione Sonate; 3 Sonatinas, Op. 37

(with Pieter Wispelwey - violoncello)
Channel Classics CCS 09696

Choc du Monde de la Musique:
...Un régal, un sommet...

NRC:
...Cellist and pianist form an extraordinary duo...

Brahms - Franck - Schumann

Brahms - Franck - Schumann

Johannes Brahms - Sonata in D, Op. 78
César Franck - Sonata in A
Robert Schumann - Adagio und Allegro, Op. 70
(with Pieter Wispelwey - violoncello)
Channel Classics CCS 18698 (CD) - CCS 18602 (SACD)

BBC Music Magazine:
...Paolo Giacometti proves himself an ideal duo partner, unobtrusively inventive and neither diffident nor over-assertive.

Parool:
...Cellist Pieter Wispelwey and pianist Paolo Giacometti...the leading duo of the dutch chamber music...