Home listening - Gerstein plays Gershwin; plus Denis Matsuev and lots of Bach

The Guardian 0

This week, Kirill Gerstein gives full rein to his jazz side, while Denis Matsuev crackles in Rachmaninov and Prokofiev

• Whether in Tchaikovsky or Liszt, Brahms or Scriabin, the Russian-born pianist Kirill Gerstein has already made a name as a formidable technician and an independent-minded musician. It turns out he is also an ardent jazz player, having initally taught himself before, at the age of 14, going to study jazz piano in Boston. His mentors include vibraphonist Gary Burton, who makes a guest appearance on this album: Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue and Concerto in F (Myrios), with the Saint Louis Symphony conducted by David Robertson. Including works by Earl Wild and Oscar Levant, the disc gives full rein to Gerstein’s jazz talents in all their liquid, apparently effortless variety. The Rhapsody is heard in a live performance – full of fat, moody brass – of the jazz-band arrangement (orchestrated by Ferde Grofé).