Cons: There's little coherence here, but it's a great sampler.
The Bottom Line: Terrific bang for the buck, this is simply a marvelous compliation of classical music. It's also in some ways a great way to rediscover the film as well.
telynor's Full Review: Shine - The Complete Classics
Certainly one of the most underrated films to come out of the last decade, Shine took the story of musician David Helfgott and turned it into a touching, moving film about parental pressure, classical music, and mental illness. It also proved that Geoffrey Rush in the title role was certainly someone not to be a flash in a pan, and introduced many listeners to the treasure trove of classical music in the film.
First of all, just let me say that this is one of the best movie-tie-in CD releases that I have ever heard in my life. The liner notes alone are worth the purchase price. On top of that, for about fifteen bucks you get almost two hours of really grand piano playing. Can't beat that.
Onto the tracks!
Disc 1:
Concerto for Piano no 3 in D minor, Op. 30 Known as the Mighty 3 or the Rach 3, this is one of the most difficult pieces in the piano repertory, with many musicians unable to play the notes. Perhaps it's because Rachmaninov himself had very outsided hands. No matter, it's a stunning work, emotionally charged and with plenty of energy and surprises to it. In the film, it is this piece of music that devours David Helfgott's soul from within, consuming his every moment, and eventually his mind. If you can find it, check out Vladimir Horowitz's performance of this piece, it will stun you. Performed here by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Edo de Waart conducting and Rafael Orozco on the piano.
Allegro ma non tanto Starting off with a burst of notes, we dig in right away to the speed and theme of this. I'm not wildly fond of the first movement, with one section that jumps literally about, but soon it moves into a romanza of such sweetness and heartbreaking beauty, you just might find yourself holding your breath. Then we pick up the bits from the opening, and it all comes together in a coherent whole, rising into a maddening series of notes and scales in ever increasing tempo and pace that is both astounding and terrifying to listen to as it thunders to a climax. Then it finally calms to a haunting and tender selection that never fails to make me choke up.
Intermezzo. Adagio Here, we get a chance to catch our breath and rest. The music here is a bit more traditional than the almost dissonance of the first movement, and with strings and woodwinds dominating the Intermezzo. By now the poor pianist deserves that rest from the turmoil of the first movement. But all too soon, we're back to more fireworks from the piano. Towards the end of the Adagio, the music takes on an almost Latin/Flamenco beat and measure to it.
Finale. Alla breve The finale starts off with a bang, and we're on a merry, wild chase on the piano, with plenty of intensity. You swear that the poor piano is going to get shaken to bits by the intensity of it.
Polonaise for Piano in A flat major, B 147/Op. 53 "Heroic" Very lush, very romantic, but what else can you expect from Chopin? Surely one of the most famous bits of piano music around. Nikita Magaloff on the piano.
Kinderszenen, Op. 15: no 10, Fast zu ernst Written by Robert Schumann, the title translates to 'Scenes from Childhood," and it provides the background music and themes for the childhood of David growing up in Perth, Austrailia. Ingrid Haebler on the piano.
Preludes (24) for Piano, Op. 28: no 15 in D flat major "Raindrop" This one has become one of my favorites. Another selection by Chopin, it's a little sad and dreamy, perfect for a rainy day, or when you want to wallow in your blues. Nikita Magaloff is the piano soloist here.
Transcendental Etudes (6) after Paganini, S 140: no 3 "La Campanella" Written by Liszt, it's a fiery piece, with plenty of zip and vigor to shake you up out of your seat. Misha Dichter on piano.
Gloria in D major, RV 589: Gloria in excelsis Deo Written by that red-headed, Venetian priest, Antonio Vivaldi, this is an exuberant, soaring piece of music. It's performed by the English Chamber Orchestra conducted by Vittorio Negri and with soprano Margaret Marshall to provide the solo vocals.
Disc 2:
Hungarian Rhapsodies (19) for Piano, S 244: no 2 in C sharp minor Composed by Franz Liszt, and made famous by Warner Brothers for some of their cartoons, it's a raucous, almost hilarious piece of music. Played here by Misha Dichter.
Morceaux de fantaisies (5), Op. 3: no 2, Prelude in C sharp minor Another Rachmaninoff composition and performed by Rafael Orozco. It's somber, rather sad and dramatic.
Tale of Tsar Saltan: Suite, Op. 57 - Flight of the bumblebee Composed by Nicholai Rimsky-Korsakov, this is usually performed in the orchestral version. You see it in the film when David Helfgott startles the evening crowd in a restaurant with a surprise turn on the piano. Performed by the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra with David Zinman.
Symphony no 9 in D minor, Op. 125 "Choral": 4th movement, Finale Surely the one piece that Beethoven is best known for, this is one symphony that everyone should hear live once in their lives. Kurt Mazur directs the Kinderchor des Philharmonischen Chores Dresden, Rundfunkchor Leipzig, Rundfunkchor Berlin Gewendhausorchester Leipzig.
Concert Etudes (3) for Piano, S 144: no 3 in D flat Major, Un sospiro Mischa Dichter on piano in another Liszt selection. It's rather romantic, intense, and a real showpiece for a virtuoso.
Nulla in mundo pax sincera in E, RV 630 Written by Vivaldi, it's a moving selection, with plenty of emotion to it. Elly Ameling and Jeffrey Tate are the soloists, with the English Chamber Orchestra and Vittorio Negri.
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