Claude Debussy famously described one of Grieg’s pieces as “a pink bonbon that could be filled with snow,” yet this may hint at an underlying anxiety of influence, as Grieg significantly impacted Debussy’s work. This fine performance reveals those influences with clarity. The 2024 release achieved classical best-seller status, with one track from Book Three of the Lyric Pieces (“Erotikon,” fittingly) gaining viral popularity on streaming platforms.
Despite his Russian-school origins, pianist Andrey Gugnin delivers precise and restrained readings. His rendition of the grand Ballade, Op. 24, is meticulously executed, with even the climactic variations at the end reined in. Gugnin’s interpretation of the original piano version of the Holberg Suite, Op. 40, makes the neoclassical movement in music feel almost inevitable. His Lyric Pieces are exquisitely detailed, free from sentimentality. Gugnin’s use of a Bechstein piano, rather than a Steinway, is an inspired choice, providing a subtle, intimate sound ideal for his nuanced interpretations. This collection of familiar Grieg works stands out for its distinctive approach, highlighting the best aspects of Grieg’s music.
English