Horowitz Encores

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Whether you love Vladimir Horowitz or not, you had to admit that in some showpieces he is incomparable. Here are lots of them: his own Variations on a Theme from Carmen, his souped-up versions of the Danse Macabre and Rakoczy March, and Moszkowski's Sparks. Stars and Stripes Forever sounds as though the pianist had at least three hands--and good ones at that. I never cared for Horowitz's Chopin, and I'm afraid he beats the hell out of the Chopin Polonaise he plays here. But when you want to hear Horowitz the great showman, this is definitely the disc to play. --Leslie Gerber

Tracks:

Horowitz Variations on a theme from Carmen
Danse macabre
Sonata No.11, K.331: Rondo alla turca
Wedding march and variations: Liszt - Horowitz Wedding march and variations
Elegie Op.85 No.4: Songs without words - Elegie
Spring Song,Op.62, No 6: Mendelssohn: Spring Song
The Sheperd's Complaint,Op.67,No.5: Mendelssohn: The Sheperd's Complaint
Serenade of the doll: Debussy - Serenade of the doll
Etude In A-flat
Etude,Op.72 No.6 in F: Etude In F
Op.36,No.6: Etincelles
polonaise, Op. 53 In A-flat
C- Traumerei Op.15 No.7: Traumerei
Scherzo a capriccio
Rakoczy March Hungarian Rhapsody No.15: Rakoczy March
Valse oubliee #1: Valse oubliee No. 1
Prelude in G Minor Op.23,No.5: Prelude In G Minor
The Stars And Stripes Forever

Amazon.com

Whether you love Vladimir Horowitz or not, you had to admit that in some showpieces he is incomparable. Here are lots of them: his own Variations on a Theme from Carmen, his souped-up versions of the Danse Macabre and Rakoczy March, and Moszkowski's Sparks. Stars and Stripes Forever sounds as though the pianist had at least three hands--and good ones at that. I never cared for Horowitz's Chopin, and I'm afraid he beats the hell out of the Chopin Polonaise he plays here. But when you want to hear Horowitz the great showman, this is definitely the disc to play. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Irresistable.......2006-02-17

Vladimir Horowitz was a master programmer, for the formal recital, and for an informal recital of encores after the printed program was finished. His first encore would invariably be a restful, contemplative piece, with contrasting fireworks to follow. Not every piece on this CD, recorded from 1942-1981, was used by Horowitz for encore material, and the emphasis here is on fireworks.

The works on this CD can be divided into three categories: Horowitz's arrangements of orchestra pieces, double hyphenated elaborations by Horowitz of Liszt transcriptions, and "straight" piano music.

Horowitz's Variations on a Theme from Bizet's Carmen followed him throughout most of his career. None of Horowitz's seven recordings (including two piano roles, three studio recordings [1928 this one from 1947, and 1957], and two televised performances) are quite the same, as Horowitz was constantly revising and refining this piece.

As an expression of gratitude and pride at becoming an American citizen, Horowitz concocted an arrangement of Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever--which he premiered in 1945 at I Am An American Day in New York's Central Park. By playing the piece at a true march tempo (rather than the scherzo-like tempo used in most orchestral performances) Horowitz is able to perform nearly very detail of Sousa's orchestration--including the piccolo flourishes at the climax.

Both Saint-Saëns' Danse Macabre and the Mendelsson-Liszt Wedding March are enhancements of Liszt's arrangements which would have made even that 19th Century titan gasp. Likewise Horowitz's total reworking of Liszt's Rakóczy March (which really sounds more like an arrangement of Berlioz's orchestral version), which takes demonism to new levels.

Yet there is an intimate side to Horowitz's playing which can be forgotten in the virtuosic sound & fury. The three Mendelssohn Songs Without Words are played with a lyrical simplicity. The inner voices of Schumann's Träumerai wake up and stretch while the piece dreams away. Horowitz's performance of Debussy's Serenade of the Doll makes one wish he had recorded the entire Children's Corner. He did record the complete Mozart Sonata in A, K. 331 years after the exerpt included here, and unlike the standard performance here, played the Rondo alla turca at a true march tempo.

Horowitz's performances of Moszkowski are so well known that it's difficult to think of the composer without thinking of the pianist. Yet he only recorded three pieces, all included here. Over fifty years after their issue, they remain benchmarks among piano recordings.

Not every performance on this CD shows Horowitz at his best. Chopin's A-flat Polonaise is effortlessly tossed-off, yet somehow misses the majesty Rubinstein brought to this piece. Both Mendelssohn's Scherzo a capriccio and Rachmaninoff's G minor Prelude have labored moments. Yet even off form Horowitz is better than many another pianist's best efforts.

The sound varies on this CD, and most of it is in mono. Many of these pieces had been dropped from Horowitz's repertoire by the stereo era. But as examples of masterful exploitation of the piano's resources, exciting interpretation, and brilliant--even manic--performance, this compilation transcends any sonic limitations.

true to its title.......2005-03-24

Horowitz plays these gems with the brilliance that can only come from his hands. "Technique" is the operative word here, and you can find it in abundance. Several of these pieces are Horowitz arrangements of pieces in the classical repertory (ie, Variations on a theme from Carmen, Danse Macabre, Wedding March, Racokzy March, Stars and Stripes, etc.). It is in these arrangements that Horowitz' technique flames overwhelmingly. Others are performances of pieces in their original form (Alla Turca March, Chopin Polonaise, Elegy, Midsummer Night's Dream, etc.). It is in these latter pieces that one finds light, sweet treats that tantalize our auditory "taste buds."

Dont expect anything heavy, profound, or deep-thinking. Encores were meant to be light, showy, brilliant gems of limited significance musically.

Suffers much from poor quality.......2002-09-02

Its a shame that Horowitz was in retirement through most of the "golden age" of recording in the 60's. I didn't discover 'til I had it unwrapped (and non-returnable) that most of the pieces on this disk are simply transfers from old 78's, and Horowitz's magical piano dynamics are simply gone. This one is only for the true afficianados, scholars, and historical buffs. Buy it for the historic value, but not the sound; which is terrible.

The Encore is more important than you might think!.......2002-07-09

These are famous Horowitz encores. They are not the titanic pieces he became famous or historically important for, but they are the pieces that made him popular with the public. Some are his own transcriptions, and every performance is his own.

As one reviewer below said well, the encore was a special part of the recital that had its own demands and expectations. Having attended many recitals in my life I can tell you that it is a part of the recital art form that could use some revival. It isn't enough to simply flash and toss off little musical candies. That isn't what these are.

Nor do you want to lay on something with too much weight that detracts from what you did during the main recital. However, you want to send the audience away happy, impressed, and with a sense of delight with the performer and their recital experience.

Each of these pieces accomplished those goals. And Horowitz has a lot to teach all of us.

Plus these are wonderful and spectacular performances. I am so glad to have them on disk.

Rave Review!.......2000-03-19

As a lifetime student and advanced coach of the piano I highly recommend this recording to all, who would like to here music of a bygone era. This album features encores of a pianistic style seldom heard in our day, recorded by the last of the truly great masters of the art of keyboard science. Though most are flashy in appearance (such as his 1940's recording of The Stars and Stripes Forever), some reveal an elegant simplicity (Schumann's Traumerei), and all display a technical mastery of the keyboard rarely achieved in the pianistic art. Trully all of these recordings reflect the art form of the encore, which was an intricate part of the 19th century concert stage. The Horowitz recordings contained on this CD are historic and will be a real treat for all who appreciate fine music.

Average customer rating:

Favorite Encores

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Toccatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Horowitz in Moscow
Horowitz in Moscow

ASIN: B0001ENYK8
Release Date: 2004-02-24

Tracks:

Toccata In C Major, Op.7
Etude In E Major, Op.10, No.3
Etude In D-Sharp Minor, Op.8, No.12
Etude In A-Flat Major, Op.72, No.11
Arabeske In C Major, Op.18
Etude In G-Flat Major, Op.10, No.5 'Black Key'
Impromptu In G-Flat Major, Op.90 No.3 (D 899)
Sonata In E Major, K 531 (L 430)
Sonata In A Major, K 322 (L 483)
III. Rondo Alla Turca. Allegretto
Prelude In G-Sharp Minor, Op.32, No.12
Etude In C Minor, Op.10, No.12 'Revolutionary'
Etude In C-Sharp Minor, Op.2, No.1
Polonaise In A-Flat Major, Op.53 'Heroic'
Serenade For The Doll
Etude-Tableau In C Major, Op.33, No.2
L'Isle Joyeuse
Traumerei
Variations On A Theme From Bizet's Carmen
Etude In A-Flat Major, Op.25, No.1 'Aeolian Harp'
Etude In E Minor, Op.25, No.5

Average customer rating:

A DEFINITE MUST-HAVE!
Delightful!

Vladimir Horowitz: Favorite Encores

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Toccatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Horowitz Encores

ASIN: B0000026FI
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Toccata In C Major, Op.7
Etude In E Major, Op.10, No.3
Etude In D - Sharp Minor, Op.8, No.12
Etude In A - Flat Major, Op.72, No.11
Arabesque In C Major, Op.18
Etude In G - Flat Major, Op.10, No.5 ('Black Key')
Impromptu In G - Flat Major, Op.90, No.3
Sonata In E Major, L.430
Sonata In A Major, L.483
Sonata In A Major, K.331 III - Rondo alla Turca
Prelude In G - Sharp Minor, Op.32, No.12
Etude In C Minor, Op.10, No.12 ('Revolutionary')
Etude In C - Sharp Minor, Op.3, No.1
Polonaise In A - Flat Major, Op.53 ('Heroic')
Serenade For The Doll
Etude-tableau In C Major, Op.33, No.2
L'Isle joyeuse
'Traumerei' From Kinderszenen, Op.15
Variations On Themes From Bizet's Carmen

Customer Reviews:

A DEFINITE MUST-HAVE!.......2000-01-25

This was, incidentally enough, the very first classical music CD that I listened to, at the age of 8. Granted, I didn't understand the music, or even concentrate on listening to it, I just listened for the virtuosity of Horowitz's playing. Several years later, I look back and realize that the emotional depth of the pianist is beyond comparison. Every work is excellently performed, whether it be Mozart's Rondo Alla Turca, or Horowitz's fantastically difficult Carmen Variations. This CD started me on my voyage through classical music. I have a large repertoire, both in CDs and in actual piano playing, and this CD is mostly responsible. The most one can complain is about the worse quality of the sound than in modern performances, most noticable in Debussy's Serenade for the Doll, but it is not that important.

Delightful!.......2000-01-13

Horowitz encores. What should one add to that? A good blend of charming and bravura pieces.

Music Review: