Artur Rubinstein (1887 - 1982)
2 Capriccio in B minor, Op. 76, No. 2 3.28 Rec: February 1923 Roll No: 6596 Harold Bauer (1873 - 1951)
3 Intermezzo in E flat major, Op. 117, No. 1 5.42 Rec: October 1922 Roll No: 6559
4 Intermezzo in E minor Op. 119, No. 2 4.45 Rec: December 1930 Roll No: 7422 Myra Hess (1890 - 1965)
5 Intermezzo in C major, Op. 119, No. 3 1.47 Rec: September 1925 Roll No: 6911
6 Rhapsody in E flat major, Op. 119, No. 4 5.45 Rec: January 1924 Roll No: 6705 Wilhelm Backhaus (1884 - 1969) 7 Variations on a Theme of Paganini Op. 35 Book 1: 1, 3, 7, 12, 13/ Book 2: 3-8, 10, 11, 14 9.25 Rec: January 1924 Roll No: 6813 Carl Friedberg (1872 - 1955) 8 Ballade in B minor, Op. 10, No. 3 Intermezzo 4.32 Rec: April 1915 Roll No: 5641 Edwin Fischer (1886 - 1960) 9 Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op. 5 Allegro maestoso 6.24 Rec: September 1923 Roll No: 067
10 Andante Andante espressivo 12.05 Rec: September 1923 Roll No: 068
11 Scherzo Allegro energico 4.14 Rec: September 1923 Roll No: 069
12 Intermezzo Andante molto 3.36 Rec: September 1923 Roll No: 070
Grand Piano is a series devoted to the art of the Reproducing Piano. It presents major performances by the legendary pianists who recorded for the Aeolian Company between 1915 and 1930.
The acoustic gramophone rarely attempted major keyboard works. The 78s' restricted sound and duration was acceptable for short virtuoso pieces but little else. In contrast, by 1915, the Aeolian Company's "Duo-Art" was already a highly sophisticated digital recording process. Pianists, well aware of the gramophone's limitations, turned enthusiastically to the reproducing piano. Hofmann, Bauer, Paderewski and Grainger were especially committed, not alone in believing that they had achieved the ultimate recording process. Great pianists joined them in recording their concert repertoire, including much that was never repeated on disc.
The reproducing piano was a tragic victim of the devastated economy of 1930's America. It disappeared, not because it was inadequate, but, because it was expensive. The pianist's faith in the reproducing piano remained overwhelming; one of the most exciting musical inventions of our age.
"Wilhelm Backhaus is strong and lucid in the Paganini Variations while Dame Myra Hess is a sheer delight in the Intermezzi and Rhapsody in E flat!"
Geoffrey Crankshaw, Classic CD
"Artur Rubinstein practically memorized all the music he performed, even into his older age. His incredible talent on here is priceless. Personally, I think music is a great way to escape from stress. These pieces by Brahms are somewhat complex, with huge, powerful chords. The pianists on here have both the talent and incredible ability to play the music accurately and artistically."
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Gwyneth Herbert - All The Ghosts
Ramon Ruiz - Flamenco Havana
Mike Lindup - Conversations with Silence
Fred Simon - Dreamhouse
Earwax Control - 2 Live
Chris Anderson - From the Heart
Antonio Forcione, Neil Stacey - Acoustic Mania - Talking Hands
SCHUBERT, STRAVINSKY, MOZART, The Allegri String Quartet - Arpeggione Sonata // Three Pieces for String Quartet // Three Pieces for Clarinet Solo // Clarinet Quintet in A Major
SCHUBERT, MENDELSSOHN, The Norwegian Chamber Orchestra - Symphony No. 5 in B Flat // Symphony No.4 in A