At first glance I thought this to be an historical issue with a pianist unknown to me. In reality this young Italian pianist performs on a Steinway D and the sound is fully contemporary. As Volume 15 of this label’s Russian Piano series it follows her 14th volume of Prokofieff and, if it’s as good as this one, I will be sure it does not escape my attention.
Argentieri graduated at the Conservatory in Lecce, Italy. She teaches at the Conservatory in Bari.
Tchaikovsky, who is not especially known for his solo piano music, could not have found a more sympathetic exponent than this pianist. Opening with three pieces from Opus 72—Berceuse, Meditation, Chant Elegiaque—her tone is balm to the ears in a lush, gentle, melodic sort of way. By the time we reach the Op.5 Romance and two selections from the Seasons we cannot fail to capitulate to the ravishing sensuality of the playing, with rubato perfectly realized and thoroughly idiomatic.
The big-boned but sometimes maligned Sonata is refreshingly played with less force, slightly slower, and more expressively than it is usually given. A comparison with the recording by Jumi Somero shows how an approach to this music can be worlds apart, with Somero pounding things out and emphasizing the virtuosity of the final Allegro Vivace while Argentieri’s gentler playing brings greater ease if a degree less bravura. Viktoria Postnikova’s Erato performance is rather similar to Argentieri if not as lovingly phrased, and Sviatoslav Richter is exciting and close to my heart. Still, there is a special place reserved in that chamber for Stefania, and I would not want to be without it. My guess is that you will embrace her ravishing execution with the same enthusiasm as I did.
