Great Pianists: Moiseiwitsch 2

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Unlike the first volume of historic performances by Benno Moiseiwitsch released by Naxos, which was devoted to major works, the second volume is filled almost entirely with encore pieces, most of which are now rarely heard. The one exception--and it is itself an infrequent visitor to concert halls--is Liszt's gigantic transcription of Wagner's "Tannhauser Overture." In this 1938 recording, one of the pianist's greatest, Moiseiwitsch achieves what even so great a modern master as Jorge Bolet (BMG) failed to do--realize Liszt's seemingly impossible aim of reproducing the sonority and might of the orchestral score on the piano.

The short pieces are just as superb. The 1939 performance of Weber's "Invitation to the Dance" (in Taussig's dazzling arrangement) is matched in elegance and tonal beauty only by the recordings of his fellow Leschetizky students, Ignaz Friedman (Danacord), and Artur Schnabel (APR), both of whom perform Weber's original text. Moiseiwitsch's version of Liszt's Concert Étude in F Minor ("La leggierezza") deserves its legendary reputation. This transcendent reading, with the limpid delicacy and beauty of its leggierissimo playing, brings the work's title to startling life. Moiseiwitsch's dazzling virtuosity was disciplined by calm but intense musicality. He was able to make much-abused pieces such as Liszt's Liebestraum No. 3 and his Second Hungarian Rhapsody sound fresh: whether through the liquid poetry of his playing in the former or his rhythmic élan and devil-may-care good humor in the latter. Any of these performances would make this disc worth buying at full price; Naxos's super-budget price makes it irresistible. --Stephen Wigler

Great Pianists: Moiseiwitsch 2, Music, Ludwig van Beethoven, Adolf Henselt, Johann Nepomuk Hummel, Franz Liszt, Felix Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann, Carl Tausig, Benno Moiseiwitsch, Andante for Keyboard, Chamber Music & Recitals, Classical, Classical Artists, Classical Music, Etude for Keyboard, Fantasy/Fantasia for Keyboard, Folk Dance for Keyboard, Keyboard, Keyboard Work with Descriptive or Unclassified Title, Music for Keyboard, Nocturne for Keyboard, Rhapsody for Keyboard, Romance for Keyboard, Rondo for Keyboard, Song Without Words for Keyboard, Transcription for Keyboard
Great Pianists: Moiseiwitsch 2
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • untitled
  • Transcendental pianism
 Great Pianists: Moiseiwitsch 2

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. Moiseiwitsch Plays Rachmaninov, Medtner, Kabalevsky, Khachaturian
  2. Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
  3. Delius: Piano Concerto; Ravel: Jeux d'eau; Debussy: Clair de lune
  4. Tchaikovsky: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2
  5. Horowitz in Moscow

ASIN: B00005K3PJ
Release Date: 2001-08-21

Tracks:

  1. Rondo in E flat, Op.11
  2. Andante in F, Wo0. 57: Andante Favori
  3. Rondo Brilliante In D flat, J.260 (Invitation To The Dance)
  4. Fantasiestucke, Op.12: Grillen
  5. Romance No.2
  6. Waldszenen, Op.82: Vogel Als Prophet
  7. Scherzo in e, Op.16 No.2
  8. Song Without Words No.3 in A, op.19 No.3
  9. Song Without Words No.22 in F, Op.53 No.4
  10. Etude Caracteristique, Op.2 No.6
  11. Etude De Concert No.2 in f
  12. Hungarian Rhap No.2 in c#
  13. Liebestraume No.3 in A flat
  14. Isoldes Liebestod (Fragment)
  15. Tannahuser Ov

Amazon.com

Unlike the first volume of historic performances by Benno Moiseiwitsch released by Naxos, which was devoted to major works, the second volume is filled almost entirely with encore pieces, most of which are now rarely heard. The one exception--and it is itself an infrequent visitor to concert halls--is Liszt's gigantic transcription of Wagner's "Tannhauser Overture." In this 1938 recording, one of the pianist's greatest, Moiseiwitsch achieves what even so great a modern master as Jorge Bolet (BMG) failed to do--realize Liszt's seemingly impossible aim of reproducing the sonority and might of the orchestral score on the piano.

The short pieces are just as superb. The 1939 performance of Weber's "Invitation to the Dance" (in Taussig's dazzling arrangement) is matched in elegance and tonal beauty only by the recordings of his fellow Leschetizky students, Ignaz Friedman (Danacord), and Artur Schnabel (APR), both of whom perform Weber's original text. Moiseiwitsch's version of Liszt's Concert Étude in F Minor ("La leggierezza") deserves its legendary reputation. This transcendent reading, with the limpid delicacy and beauty of its leggierissimo playing, brings the work's title to startling life. Moiseiwitsch's dazzling virtuosity was disciplined by calm but intense musicality. He was able to make much-abused pieces such as Liszt's Liebestraum No. 3 and his Second Hungarian Rhapsody sound fresh: whether through the liquid poetry of his playing in the former or his rhythmic élan and devil-may-care good humor in the latter. Any of these performances would make this disc worth buying at full price; Naxos's super-budget price makes it irresistible. --Stephen Wigler

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars untitled.......2004-09-08

Just listen to the Wagner-Liszt overture, and you'll know why I gave this item five stars.

5 out of 5 stars Transcendental pianism.......2004-06-08

This issue is spectacular. Sound quality, for me is of little consideration when buying a cd. One has to learn to glimpse beneath the veneer of hiss and cracking, and hear the soul and artistry of the player.
This cd, has been beautifully transferred, and reveals the genius of Benno Moiseiwitsch. His artistry is beyond description, it transcends the categories we are used to hearing. Technically, and emotionally, this is a unique record, of a particular tradition or school of pianists. I have never heard piano playing like this, and don't expect to. I shall say no more...

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