Since his emigration to the United States in 1976, the Russian pianist, teacher, and writer Dmitry Paperno has given numerous master classes and concerts throughout the U.S. and Western Europe, as well as penning articles on music and two books. His fourth release on the Cedille label draws upon recordings made for Melodiya in 1967 and 1975, which make their first CD appearance here. A soaring, powerfully projected, and flexible Brahms G minor Rhapsody provides a galvanizing start to this recital, followed by a Liszt E major Polonaise that sparkles with swagger and panache. While the Tarantella from Venezia e Napoli is similarly spirited, Paperno pulls out all the dramatic and coloristic stops for the Rhapsodie Espagnol. Paperno effortlessly integrates the Grieg G minor Ballade’s diverse variations into a cogent whole, matching the austere bravura of Godowsky’s justly famous 1928 recording.
Given such excellences, Paperno’s well-played yet somewhat cautious Chopin B-flat minor Sonata makes less of an impression, chiefly in the pianist’s somber and static treatment of the marche funèbre and in his earthbound finale (no “wind over the grave” analogy here). Paperno’s extensive program notes offer rare insights into what it was like to record in the Soviet Union, along with illuminating observations on the works he plays here. The strident, clangy sonics, however, will probably limit this disc’s appeal to specialists.
