For whom the bell tolls: Babayan and Trifonov

By Alexander Hall, 15 February 2016

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Reviewed at Wigmore Hall, London on 14 February 2016

Schumann, Andante and Variations, Op.46

Schubert, Fantasia for piano 4 hands in F minor, D.940

Brahms, Hungarian Dance no. 9 in E minor

Brahms, Hungarian Dance no. 10 in E major

Brahms, Hungarian Dance no. 17 in F sharp minor

Brahms, Hungarian Dance no. 18 in D major

Brahms, Hungarian Dance no. 21 in E minor

Rachmaninov, Suite no. 1 "Fantaisie-Tableaux" for Two Pianos, Op.5

Rachmaninov, Suite no. 2 for Two Pianos, Op. 17

Barber, Souvenirs, Op.28: Pas de deux

Daniil Trifonov, Piano

Sergei Babayan, Piano

Daniil Trifonov brings revelatory Russian rarities to Carnegie Hall

Sam Jacobson, 13th December

Trifonov offers a probing recital, transforming little-heard Russian works into compelling statements alongside Schumann’s impassioned First Sonata.

****1

Spectacular Orchestre National de France program at Carnegie Hall

Susan Stempleski, 9th November

Cristian Mǎcelaru elicits enthralling performances from the ONF, Daniil Trifonov blends stunning virtuosity with poetic insight in a crowd-pleasing French program.

*****

Matthias Goerne and Daniil Trifonov’s journey to the heart of Winter

Michelle Assay, 16th October

Matthias Goerne and Daniil Trifonov take their Toronto audience on a Schubertian journey to remember at Koerner Hall.

*****

Rachmaninov’s voice revealed on Tanglewood opening night

Edward Sava-Segal, 5th July

From Rachmaninov's Third Concerto to the Symphonic Dances, a programme of emotional depth and orchestral virtuosity to open this year's Tanglewood Festival.

*****

From virtuosity to poetry: Daniil Trifonov at Caramoor

Edward Sava-Segal, 27th June

Modest as ever, Daniil Trifonov offers another masterclass in how virtuosity is sublimated into poetry.

****1

Everyone's having a good time: Klaus Mäkelä and the Chicago Symphony

Graham Meyer, 2nd May

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and its future Music Director revel in a Brahms piano concerto with ideal collaborator Daniil Trifonov and an energetic Dvořák 7.

*****

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Alexander Hall

Alexander Hall divides his time between London and Hamburg, where he had a career in academic administration and teaching. He reviews for Bachtrack and Opera Today, and has also reviewed for Classical Source. A connoisseur of the great orchestras of the world, his musical memories stretch back to Karajan/Berlin Phil, Mravinsky/Leningrad Phil, Bernstein/Vienna Phil, and he has seen most of the great conductors from the past, including Böhm, Klemperer, Kubelik, Ormandy and Szell.

For whom the bell tolls: Babayan and Trifonov seek out Rachmaninov's trademark