PETER
PLANYAVSKY
Press Notices
LOS ANGELES “There was only good news at Peter Planyavsky’s recital last night ... Planyavsky gave notice of secure technique and superb musicality. Easing into and out of phrases, he set off contrapuntal ideas and delineated formal structures with never the slightest interruption of the basic rhythmical flow.”
CLEVELAND “PLANYAVSKY IS BRILLIANT IN FIRST OF ORGAN SERIES” – “... he shaped his interpretations with skillful registration, clean articulation and vital rhythm.”
TORONTO “The real excitement was found in the improvisations. … Aside from the richness of sound, clarity of theme and the imaginative treatment of it, the exercise was remarkable for the player’s ability to extricate himself from the maze he had built.”
BIRMINGHAM “Beyond (and more important than) that was his marvelous rhythmic discipline.”
EDMONTON “PLANYAVSKY LEAVES THEM BREATHLESS” “... Planyavsky ... also displayed a formidable maturity in one so relatively young – in a complete lack of ostentation in such a gifted recitalist and in a relentless adherence to the best interests of the music he was playing.”
PORTLAND, OR “Planyavsky plays cleanly and with great sensitivity … a gifted improviser.”
The Oregonian
VAN NUYS “... abundant technique, rhythmic precision and vitality, and clarity of phrasing ...”
TOKYO “... Planyavsky’s performance is characterized in his superb flexibilities of rhythmic feeling and the appropriate clarity in the sense of sonority.”
BRISBANE “In everything he showed complete command of his resources, a brilliant technique and a keen and sensitive appreciation of tone color.”
SYDNEY “He is a worthy successor to the many illustrious musicians who have held posts in that city (Vienna) in earlier times ... These were represented in music which amply displayed an abundant ability on the part of the composer, organist and the new Dutch organ.”
HAMBURG “Planyavsky’s
palette of sound is differentiated and many-coloured. He devised variations on Veni creator spiritus and other chorales no less imaginatively than
on the spiritual ‘Joshua fit the battle
of Jericho.’ Even a twelve-tone
theme caused him no problems. Using
sumptuous harmonies he brilliantly drew hidden structural elements out of the
chromatic row. This
KREFELD “... a speculative as well as spectacular organist with an original and highly individual personal style. This was clearly evident in the style of playing favored by him, in which minute working-out of intricate detail and clearly audible voice-weaving – made possible by his stupendous technique – were adopted as basic elements of his interpretation.”
“His dedication is absolute; his playing is practically an extension of Liszt’s own personality ... Planyavsky’s integrity and devotion redeem the musical platitudes.”
“This is organ playing par excellence. Peter Planyavsky puts heart and soul into these pieces, and the force of his conviction carries you with him all the way.”
The News (Portsmouth, UK)
“More organ virtuosity comes from Argo. … Peter Planyavsky brings immense panache to bear on the music and the recording is clean and powerful.”
Cambridge Evening News (UK)
“Planyavsky’s playing – as well as his intellectual piloting – never becomes dull, seems effortless, without strain or cramping. In my opinion, especially the Missa improvisata – with its incorporation of various cantus firmi – is the most successful attempt to capture improvisation on a phonograph record for a long time.”
“Planyavsky produces music that is shot through with a kind of dark sincerity, an intellectual integrity that gives the forms a peculiar quality of depth.”
Organists’ Review