Aveline Gram – The Balmoral Recordings 2015 (lossless download)
Additional information
This uncompressed, un-doctored recording captures the full pallet of colours, emotions and moods this extraordinary pianist and her Steinway piano. Recorded over two days in chateau Balmoral, Spa, Belgium.
WORKS BY: BACH, CHOPIN, KAPUSTIN and LISZT
Chopin - Scherzo No. 2 in Bflat Minor, Op. 31
Chopin - Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 23
Chopin - Etude No 4 in C sharp Minor, Op. 10
Liszt - Liebestraum No. 3 S 541
Johann Sebastian Bach - Partita No. 1 in BFlat Major - Preludium
Johann Sebastian Bach - Partita No. 1 in BFlat Major - Allemande
Johann Sebastian Bach - Partita No. 1 in BFlat Major - Courante
Johann Sebastian Bach - Partita No. 1 in BFlat Major - Sarabande
Johann Sebastian Bach - Partita No. 1 in BFlat Major - Menuet, 1 & 2
Johann Sebastian Bach - Partita No. 1 in BFlat Major - Gigue
Kapustin - Prelude, Lento, Op. 53
Kapustin - Prelude, Moderato, Op. 53
About this Recording:
Before setting out on this project I persuaded Aveline to record, as much as possible, in only one take. My philosophy being: ‘rehearse until it’s ready, then we record’. In addition, Aveline agreed not to replace any mistakes with studio implants during the post production and mixing process.
The original concept of ‘The Balmoral Recordings’ was to record a duo CD with Aveline and our other ‘Young Belgian Talent’ winner: Aurore Dassesse. However, we also managed to find sufficient time to lay down enough material for Aveline to make her own solo CD. What you hear in these recordings is an honest, true to life rendition of her interpretation of four composers from her wide repertoire.
It is true to say that Aveline was not sure about recording the Bach at first but we had time and she agreed that we should give it a try. Maybe it was the setting, or maybe it was the fact that the pressure was off but Aveline managed to pull out a performance where her superb phrasing and delicate touch brought Bach’s Partita No. 1 to life in a way seldom captured in a purpose built recording studio or concert hall. Perhaps, in time, she will want to come back and re-record it with a more polished rendition but even then we will still have this magical interpretation to share and enjoy.
For the recording itself I used a very simple two microphone placement technique to cover 90% of the work. With no compression, over dubbing, frequency equalization or other trickery; what you hear on this download is exactly what was played over four days in July in the music room of the Chateau Balmoral in Spa, Belgium.
Harley Lovegrove, August 24, 2015
