Sergey Prokofiev : The War Sonatas

Piano International (Jan, 2014)
Any classical disc that boasts the word ‘fuckin’ (sic) on the inside front cover (as part of a Bob Dylan quote), then programmes choice masterworks of the 20th century alongside Bach/Busoni and Bach/Kurtag, can’t be bad. Couple this strong statement of intent with Wass’s astonishingly sensitive and intelligent playing, and the result is an out and out winner. This is what CD programming should be about: unexpected, stimulating and musically satisfying. The gorgeously occluded Bach/Kurtag items (where Wass is joined by a second pianist, Ron Abramski) are the perfect bookends; the sudden ending to the first track leads perfectly into the Berg Sonata, which Wass shapes beautifully, rivalling Uchida’s wonderful account. …