Igor Levit's double album, Encounter, is a deeply personal and poignant collection of piano transcriptions that seek to provide inner strength and support for the soul. Released on 11 September 2020 via Sony Classical, this album is a testament to the power of music to bring people together, even in times of isolation.
Featuring works by Bach, Brahms, and Reger, among others, Encounter is a masterfully curated selection of pieces that celebrate the human desire for connection and togetherness. The album includes rarely played arrangements of Bach and Brahms by Ferruccio Busoni and Max Reger, as well as Morton Feldman's meditative and minimalist masterpiece, "Palais de Mari".
Igor Levit's performances are characterised by their nuance and sensitivity, bringing a sense of intimacy and vulnerability to the music. The album's tracklist, which spans over an hour and a half, is a journey through some of the most beautiful and contemplative works in the classical piano repertoire.
From the opening notes of the 10 Chorale Preludes to the closing moments of "Palais de Mari", Encounter is an album that invites the listener to step into a world of beauty and reflection. With its thoughtful programming and exquisite performances, Igor Levit's Encounter is a must-listen for fans of classical piano music, and a powerful reminder of the transformative power of music to touch our hearts and minds.
This 2LP set is housed in a gatefold.
Tracks
10 Chorale Preludes, BV B 27: No. 1, Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist, BWV 667Johann Sebastian Bach, Ferruccio Busoni, Igor Levit
10 Chorale Preludes, BV B 27: No. 2, Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645Johann Sebastian Bach, Ferruccio Busoni, Igor Levit
10 Chorale Preludes, BV B 27: No. 3, Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659Johann Sebastian Bach, Ferruccio Busoni, Igor Levit
10 Chorale Preludes, BV B 27: No. 4, Nun freut euch, lieben Christen gmein, BWV 734Johann Sebastian Bach, Ferruccio Busoni, Igor Levit
10 Chorale Preludes, BV B 27: No. 5, Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 639Johann Sebastian Bach, Ferruccio Busoni, Igor Levit
10 Chorale Preludes, BV B 27: No. 6, Herr Gott, nun schleuß den Himmel auf, BWV 617Johann Sebastian Bach, Ferruccio Busoni, Igor Levit
10 Chorale Preludes, BV B 27: No. 7a, Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt, BWV 637Johann Sebastian Bach, Ferruccio Busoni, Igor Levit
10 Chorale Preludes, BV B 27: No. 7b, Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt. Fuga, BWV 705Johann Sebastian Bach, Ferruccio Busoni, Igor Levit
10 Chorale Preludes, BV B 27: No. 8, In dir ist Freude, BWV 615Johann Sebastian Bach, Ferruccio Busoni, Igor Levit
10 Chorale Preludes, BV B 27: No. 9, Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, BWV 665Johann Sebastian Bach, Ferruccio Busoni, Igor Levit
6 Chorale Preludes, BV B 50: Herzlich tut mich erfreuen, Op. 122/4Johannes Brahms, Ferruccio Busoni, Igor Levit
6 Chorale Preludes, BV B 50: Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele, Op. 122/5Johannes Brahms, Ferruccio Busoni, Igor Levit
6 Chorale Preludes, BV B 50: Es ist ein Ros entsprungen, Op. 122/8Johannes Brahms, Ferruccio Busoni, Igor Levit
6 Chorale Preludes, BV B 50: Herzlich tut mich verlangen, Op. 122/9Johannes Brahms, Ferruccio Busoni, Igor Levit
6 Chorale Preludes, BV B 50: Herzlich tut mich verlangen, Op. 122/10Johannes Brahms, Ferruccio Busoni, Igor Levit
6 Chorale Preludes, BV B 50: O Welt, ich muss dich lassen, Op. 122/11Johannes Brahms, Ferruccio Busoni, Igor Levit
Vier ernste Gesänge: Denn es gehet dem Menschen wie dem Vieh, Op. 121/1Johannes Brahms, Max Reger, Igor Levit
Vier ernste Gesänge: Ich wandte mich und sahe an alle, Op. 121/2Johannes Brahms, Max Reger, Igor Levit
Vier ernste Gesänge: O Tod, wie bitter bist du, Op. 121/3Johannes Brahms, Max Reger, Igor Levit
Vier ernste Gesänge: Wenn ich mit Menschen- und mit Engelszungen redete, Op. 121/4Johannes Brahms, Max Reger, Igor Levit
Nachtlied, Op. 138/3 (Transcription for Piano)Max Reger, Igor Levit
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Talented Artist, Poor Production
3 out of 5 stars
Dwazohwi6430United Kingdom🇬🇧
I'm really fond of his music, this album features some incredibly personal and subtle compositions. So, why just 3 stars? Just like with the earlier Hammerklavier-Sonata, the recording's sound quality is truly subpar. An artist this talented deserves much superior production. Sony should be embarassed by this.
Loud Noise Ruins Piano Music
3 out of 5 stars
Fuic69United Kingdom🇬🇧
The background noise is incredibly loud… it's such a pity for this personal piano music
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