“Already the first bars of the Elegie from Morceaux op. 3, with their pastose legato, create a dense, melancholy atmosphere that is rarely heard these days; and no later than the following, dramatically and highly differentiated played c sharp minor Prelude, it becomes obvious that Nareh Arghamanyan is an excellent interpreter of Rachmaninov’s music.”
Fonoforum Magazine (August, 2012)
“She realises the skilful phrasing and changes with a fine sense for legato and finds unique shades for every single variation. Nareh Arghamanyan shows with this CD that she is wonderful pianist whose career is worth looking out for.”
Piano News Magazine ( July, 2012)
“On this disc Nareh Arghamanyan has chosen compositions that span three periods of Rachmaninov’s creative life from the early ‘Morceaux de Fantasie’ Op.3 (1892), the first set of Etudes-Tableaux Op.33 (1911) and finally the ‘Variations on a Theme of Corelli’ Op.42 (1931). This is a taxing programme, but one that allows her to display her fine musicianship to the full. Of the early pieces, the famous ‘Prelude in C-sharp minor’ is performed with a wide gradation of dynamics and controlled power that fully communicates the melodrama inherent this piece whilst the wistful gentleness of the ‘Mélodie’ Op 3 No.3 contrasts with the coruscating account of the capricious ‘Polichinelle’. She seems completely unfazed by the virtuoso challenges of the ‘Etudes-Tableaux’ that follow and which she delivers with great sensitivity and a maturity that her age belies. A quite riveting and wonderfully nuanced performance of Rachmaninov’s masterly Corelli Variations completes this marvellous disc. Thoughtful liner notes by the pianist herself are also most welcome. This is one of the most enjoyable Rachmaninov recitals that I have heard for many a year, and one hopes that it a precursor to future recordings from this exciting and exceptionally talented young pianist. No less than a top recommendation is deserved.
HRAudio.net (Graham Williams, 2012)
“A wonderful disc! In the opening Op. 3 (that contains *that* prelude), Arghamanyan shows herself to possess not only a phenomenal technique but an understanding of Rachmaninov’s music. The rubato is varied but never goes “against the grain”; this is most vividly illustrated in the famous C sharp minor prelude where the structure of the harmony & the melodic line is never pulled so far as too fragment (never mind break). Arghamanyan uses the later revisions to the third & fifth pieces (added filigree is the main difference) to great effect – the Melodie is wonderfully shaped and the climaxes built powerfully but the highlight has to be the “singing” style that is evoked in this beautiful melody although coquettish end comes close! Pentatone’s sound is marvellous – a textbook case of how to present a piano on disc. Recorded in the Valthermond studio, the tone is rich yet the textures are clear and there is never even the hint of hardness from the superbly conditioned Steinway Model-D. Very enjoyable indeed.
HRAudio.net ( John Broggio, 2012)
