Horowitz in Moscow

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
Along with the extramusical significance of the aged Horowitz's return to his erstwhile homeland, there's plenty here for seekers of the essential Horowitz. Perhaps his finest Mozart recording, the C-major Sonata, gets a forward-moving reading distinguished by an Andante Cantabile movement that sings the music with the tonal splendor and command of line characteristic of the beloved bel canto singers of the past whom Horowitz looked to as musical models. The program's remainder is as formidable, and only a curmudgeon could fail to smile with delight at a favorite Horowitz encore, Rachmaninoff's Polka de W.R. --Dan Davis

Tracks:

Sonata In E Major, K.380 (L.23): Andante Comodo
Piano Sonata In C Major, K.330 (300 h): Allegro Moderato
Piano Sonata In C Major, K.330 (300 h): Andante Cantabile
Piano Sonata In C Major, K.330 (300 h): Allegretto
Prelude In G Major, Op.32, No.5: Moderato
Prelude In G Sharp Minor, Op.32, No.12: Allegro
Etude In C Sharp Minor, Op.2, No.1: Andante
Etude In D Sharp Minor, Op.8, No.12: Patetico
Soirees De Vienne: Valse-Caprice No.6: Allegro Con Spirito
Sonetto 104 Del Petrarca: Agitato Assai - Adagio
Mazurka In C Sharp Minor, Op.30, No.4: Allegretto
Mazurka In F Minor, Op.7, No.3: Allegretto
Kinderszenen: Traumerei
Etincelles, Morceau Caracteristique Op.36, No. 6: Allegro Scherzando
Polka de W. R.: Allegretto

Amazon.com essential recording

Along with the extramusical significance of the aged Horowitz's return to his erstwhile homeland, there's plenty here for seekers of the essential Horowitz. Perhaps his finest Mozart recording, the C-major Sonata, gets a forward-moving reading distinguished by an Andante Cantabile movement that sings the music with the tonal splendor and command of line characteristic of the beloved bel canto singers of the past whom Horowitz looked to as musical models. The program's remainder is as formidable, and only a curmudgeon could fail to smile with delight at a favorite Horowitz encore, Rachmaninoff's Polka de W.R. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Horowitz Returns to Moscow at the Age of 82.......2007-05-06

This profoundly beautiful recording was made in 1986, when Horowitz was 82. This was his first visit since he had left his homeland at the age of 22. The recording itself will make you cry, and when you read the CD insert, written masterfully by Charles Kuralt, of CBS News, you will cry some more. Mr. Kuralt speaks of Horowitz's life away from his homeland and his return. Many touching pictures of Horowitz with his wife, family, and music students enhance Mr. Kuralt's write up.
This recording of the live performance of Horowitz is superb. You will sit with your body rigid, with your hands cold and clenched, and with a smile of anticipation glued on your face, and will wait for the great maestro to play. Here you are, imagining that you are in Moscow, right there and then, and you are moved to tears by the music. What is it about the great performers that they make you breathless with the anticipation of the next note, although you know all these timeless favorites so well? In the search for an answer, I have gone so far even to read the books and articles about the biological foundation of music. I did find information about the neuronal connections and developments of various areas in the brains of the musicians. However, I did not find an explanation as to why is it that the average listener gets uplifted and enriched so much by the music when it is played by the great performers, but may be completely uninvolved when the lesser musicians play the same music. Do we have some sort of music receptors that can be triggered only by the selected few? In the absence of a scientific explanation, I have temporarily accepted that there is some sort of magic, which flows through the performer, and every soul in the concert hall. The great performers know how to make this magical connection with the average listeners. Somehow, I believe, the performer and the audience feed on each other.
I remember reading somewhere how Horowitz loved to perform. He said that he could make people in the audience hold their breath while his hand is up, in the great anticipation of his hand coming down to the keyboard. Yes, it is true; I was literally dying in the anticipation of the next note in many passages. Mr. Horowitz is a great master of passion. Just when you think that you cannot take any more passion, he tones it down, but he never lets the momentum of passion be lost.
You will love to death Horowitz's selection, each a real gem: Sonatas by Scarlatti and Mozart, Preludes by Rachmaninov, Etudes by Scriabin, Chopin Mazurkas, and much more.
You will love this recording!

My favorite classical recording of all time........2007-03-19

I have a couple of hundred classical CDs, and like most of them. But this is the one I play the most. It mixes familiar piano works with others that were entirely new to me.

The concert was held during Horowitz's first return to Moscow, and the emotion of both artist and audience seem audible. Anyhow, the playing is inspired.

Oh, God...5 stars would be simply unfair..........2006-06-07

Upon hearing this record for the first time, I had to pinch myself to make sure I was actually listening to such an amazing, if not perfect display of talent and beauty. After having listened to it over and over again along the years, maybe more than 1000 times, I still find it hard to believe that the guy was even a human being. The only fair review for such a record would be a wordless one: nothing I can write or say would do justice to the rich, almost infinte world of emotions, thoughts and colors he's able to convey through his playing. 20 stars. ;-)

Magnificent!!! Bravo Horowitz!!.......2006-01-07

I remember hearing all about this concert in Moscow when I was a kid. Whatever I thought - so some old guy played in Mosocw.

Well, reader you must forgive me for my stupidity, because for some time I realize the greatness of Maestro Horowitz, and the importance of his playing in Moscow, his hometown and homeland after 60 years.

I bought this album because I remember the hoopla in 1986. I was not dissapointed. The playing is emotional and incredible. Horowitz really was an amazing piano player - the ability to hold rapture over the audience is captured here. Those fingers -connected to a difficult, sole-eating, slight, Russian man - were magic. Wow. Those beautiful notes he plays hold in the air like ripe fruit. A master at work!

This was an inspired performance by a magician on the ivories. If your wondering what the fuss was about, or you want a CD that expresses how classical music can move the soul - then I recommend this CD very highly. Along with the Three Tenors IN Concert, it just has some inherent quality to move you.

Horowitz may have made better studio recordings, and better live recordings, but I am convinced this is just a good. I join along with the gentleman who can be heard yelling "BRAVO" at the conclusion of several pieces. BRAVO!

Amazing.......2005-11-19

Every now and then throughout history a genius in a certain area or discpline emerges. Whether it is Newton, Mozart, Freud. Horowitz falls into this category. Although there are some contrarians who don't like Horowitz, these people are usually not pianists and mere amateurs. Not for nothing he is considered one of the best if not the best pianists. Saying someone does not appreciate Horowitz is the equivalent of the creationists denying evolution.
Horowitz does things with the piano that are practically impossible to emulate or duplicate. His control over color, sound and pedalling dynamics just boggles the mind. He balances left hand right hand accents in a unique way. Horowitz reaches what is in my opinion the most technically challenging accomplishment, namely being ablt to play multiple voices simultaneously as if they all are autonomous one from the other, namely, playing three voices in which one has a crescendo, another a descrescendo and a third staying the same. I challenge any pianist to go to the piano and play 10 different level of marginal volume differences. starting from forte to pianissimo. For non musicians... this is like a shotput thrower throwing the shotput 100 times and hitting 50 feet, then 50 feet and 1/4 inches, 50 and half inches (you get this point) back and forth. This control over volume is just unparralled in the world of music. It is as if Horowitz fingers have their own brains and can do things that boggle the mind. This is akin to inducing schizophrenia in mice. There is NO ONE in the solar system who can play like this.

Average customer rating:

Paderewski's rendition of Hungarian Rhapsody's perfect
Treasure recordings on this CD unbelievable!

The Art of Piano

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Galops | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The Art of Piano - Great Pianists of 20th Century
Horowitz Encores
Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas & Concertos
Rachmaninoff plays Rachmaninoff
Horowitz in Moscow

ASIN: B00002MXNC
Release Date: 2000-05-09

Tracks:

The Art Of Piano: Hungarian Rhapsody In C Sharp Minor, S. 244 No .2 - ART OF THE PIANO
The Art Of Piano: Prelude In C Sharp Minor, Op. 3 No .2 - ART OF THE PIANO
Moments Musicaux, Op. 16: No.2 In E Flat Minor - ART OF THE PIANO
The Art Of Piano: Prelude In B Minor, Op. 32, No. 10 - ART OF THE PIANO
The Art Of Piano: Etude In F Major, Op. 10, No .8 - ART OF THE PIANO
The Art Of Piano: Variations On A Theme From Bizet's 'Carmen' - ART OF THE PIANO
The Art Of Piano: Grand Galop Chromatique, S. 219 - ART OF THE PIANO
Sonata No. 23 In F Minor, Op. 57 'Appassionata': I Allegro Assai - ART OF THE PIANO
The Art Of Piano: Polonaise In A Flat Major, Op. 53 - ART OF THE PIANO
The Art Of Piano: Polonaise In A Major, Op. 40, No. 1 - ART OF THE PIANO
The Art Of Piano: Etude In C Major, Op. 10, No. 7 - ART OF THE PIANO
The Art Of Piano: Kinderszenen, Op. 15 - ART OF THE PIANO

Tracks:

Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 4 In G Major, Op. 58: I Allegro moderato - Various Artists
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 4 In G Major, Op. 58: II Andante con moto - Various Artists
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 4 In G Major, Op. 58: III Rondo. Vivace - Various Artists
The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1: No. 1: Prelude And Fugue In C Major, BWV 846 - Various Artists
The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1: No. 8: Prelude In E Flat Minor And Fugue In D Sharp Minor, BWV 853 - Various Artists
Sonata No. 23 In F Minor, Op. 57 'Appassionata': I Allegro assai - Various Artists
Sonata No. 23 In F Minor, Op. 57 'Appassinata': II Andante con moto - attacca - Various Artists
Sonata No. 23 In F Minor, Op. 57 'Appassionata': III Allegro, ma non troppo - Presto - Various Artists

Tracks:

Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 1 In B Flat Minor, Op. 23: I Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso - Allegro con spirito - Various Artists
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 1 In B Flat Minor, Op. 23: II Andantino semplice - Prestissimo - Tempo I - Various Artists
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 1 In B Flat Minor, Op. 23: III Allegro con fuoco - Various Artists
The Art Of Piano: Sonata In B Minor, L. 449 - Various Artists
The Art Of Piano: La Valse - Various Artists
Sonata No. 32 In C Minor, Op. 111: I Maestoso - Allegro con brio ed appassionato - Various Artists
Sonata No. 32 In C Minor, Op. 111: II Arietta. Adagio molto semplice e cantabile - Various Artists

Customer Reviews:

Paderewski's rendition of Hungarian Rhapsody's perfect.......2004-12-04

I've listened to Hungarian Rhapsody rendered by 3 different artists, and Paderewski's rendition's by far the best. In fact, his version compared to, say, Misha Dichter's in "The #1 Piano Album" is so much superior that I could not bear to listen to Misha's version. While Misha obviously paid plenty attention to technical details, Paderewski effortlessly captured the true beauty of the piece - and conveyed it with near perfection. If you love Liszt or Hungarian Rhapsody or Paderewski, buy this album. Or if you just love classical music at its best, get it too!

Treasure recordings on this CD unbelievable!.......2000-08-11

If you want to hear Josef Hoffman play buy this CD. If you want to hear Arthur Rubinstein play buy this CD. All of the Great Pianists of the Century. A joy to listen to!

Horowitz In Moscow - Vladimir Horowitz / 1986 Polydor / Musical Heritage Society

Average customer rating:

Horowitz In Moscow - Vladimir Horowitz / 1986 Polydor / Musical Heritage Society

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000U2IC8U

Product Description

Horowitz In Moscow - Vladimir Horowitz / 1986 Polydor / Musical Heritage Society

Kiev International Piano Competition: In Memory of Vladimir Horowitz

Average customer rating:

Kiev International Piano Competition: In Memory of Vladimir Horowitz

Manufacturer: Cambria Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000JXZQ
Release Date: 1999-06-29

Music Review: