SIGISMOND THALBERG — PIANO PARAPHRASES AND TRANSCRIPTIONS ON THE BEL CANTO OPERAS (DIS301112HAR)
"Pianist mesmerizes with a brilliant music"
"Satu Paavola, probably the first Finnish pianist to take up the challenge of a hardy repertoire [of Thalberg’s], debutes fearlessly with her recording of Thalberg’s music. Paavola observes the demandings of 'bel canto' style: playing with a beautiful sonority and creating an illusion of singing. Arrangements from Vincenzo Bellini’s 'Norma' and 'La Sonnambula' as well as Saverio Mercadante’s 'Il giuramento' caresse the ears. The legendary fantasy from Gioachino Rossini’s 'Moses in Egypt' — that presents the famous thumb-melody-effect — together with the variations of Gaetano Donizetti’s 'L’Elisir d’Amore' mesmerize with their brilliant estradic charm." (Veijo Murtomäki; "Helsingin Sanomat"; 13.3.2013)
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CHARLES-VALENTIN ALKAN — SOLO PIANO WORKS (DIS-301113-HAR)
"Satu Paavola’s playing is effortless and it occasionally reaches a true brilliance. Nuancing is rich and the piano sound varies from caress dolce to impressive culminations" (Risto Nordell; YLE Radio "New Recordings"; 13.12.2013)
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"Thanks to Marc-André Hamélin, Alkan has climbed in the composers’ circle, which also has its downsides; when a motorically superior pianist sets current standards to such an unconvient fast ride as Alkan’s music is, the preferences are nailed to be unreachable. I can not be without comparing Satu Paavola to Hamelin. Unfair, I admit, but Paavola does well. — — In the second part [of the Grande Sonate] ‘Quasi-Faust’ and after, when all the difficulties are defeated, Paavola concentrates to build form and refined sound, which is not at all a simple task when performing Alkan’s music. The ingenious Etude-Variations 'Le Festin d’Esope' is a true finger rally where Paavola zigzags pretty smoothly, though without speeding, honorably reaching eccentric-playful dimensions." (Jaani Länsiö, "Rondo"; 2/2014)
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"I really enjoyed this album! I've never heard of the pianist before, but I will be on the lookout.
It opens with Aime Moi (literally, "Love Me") from Trois Morceaux dans le Genre Pathetique, Op. 15. While her reading is overall a little slower than Hamelin and Maltempo, it is not because of technique (her abilities at the piano are top notch), and Alkan left literally nothing but pitches and rhythms on the staff to work with, so her interpretive ideas are equally as valid as anybody else's. Her performance is very dreamy, smooth, lyrical, and beautiful.
The Grande Sonate is performed very well. The first movement isn't quite a blistering tempo as some other recordings, but the overall character of the piece is still portrayed very well and expressively, especially the B section, although I could maybe desire a little more aggressiveness in the more tumultuous sections, such as the coda (only personal taste). The second movement has a great drive all the way through, wonderful contrasts, huge sororities, great virtuosity, long line, and is closer to the tempo I'm used to (again, just personal taste). Movement three is pure bliss, and movement four is pure darkness. Overall, a very good recording of this sonata.
The first Chant from book 1 of Op. 38 is one of my favorite pieces Alkan wrote, and this performance does not disappoint. Very lyrical and expressive, with tasteful rubato.
Finally, Le Festin d'Esope, the witty set of variations. At first, I thought I was listening to Marc-Andre Hamelin play, who is my benchmark for this piece. Paavola's approach to the character, rhythmic drive, and sound of the piece is very similar to Hamelin's, and I really like it. I also like how she almost always continues each variation with break, unless it's the end of a larger section. The virtuosic variations are powerful and impressive, the lyrical variations are very beautifully shaped and voiced, and the overall character of each variation is well-defined and seems very appropriate to me. An overall great and witty performance of this great and witty piece.
I say this album is definitely worth getting if you're a fan of Alkan's music, or want to try something new."
(Ethan James McCollum; Amazon review; 26.1.2014)