Matti Raekallio’s Prokofiev sonata cycle was among the very first Ondine productions to reach these shores, and it immediately established the label (and the pianist) as major players in the classical music market. While everyone will have a favorite performance of the individual sonatas (names like Graffman, Richter, Pollini, and Gavrilov come readily to mind), these versions withstand comparison to just about any others. Raekallio brings out the steel in Prokofiev’s percussive writing, particularly in the great wartime sonatas Nos. 6-8, but he also knows how to relax into the music’s bittersweet lyricism without losing crucial dramatic momentum. Now conveniently packaged in a single box, this three-disc set may just be the finest complete survey of the sonatas available. [11/10/1999]
