This was an exciting one to find! Not only because Dean Dixon's name was on the cover, but also because I believe it represents the first recording of both of MacDowell's concertos on disc together. And, lastly it is a wonderful document of a husband and wife performing together in a solo and conducting role!
Vivian Rifkin really plays the hell out if these wonderful late romantic works and Dixon provides strong, loving accompaniment. Together, they offer the best argument on why MacDowell should be placed higher up in the repertoire list. I don't think that I've enjoyed these works as much as in this recording.
Rifkin was a fine pianist who made comparatively few recordings, most in the first half of the 50's. I believe that she was for many years a respected teacher in New York after she parted from Dixon. On a diversity note, she and Dixon must have been extremely brave individuals for being an interracial couple in the 50's was no small matter!
Westminster must have loved these two concertos, for the company recorded them again several years later, also in Vienna, with Eugene List as the soloist and Carlos Chavez as the conductor.
My copy of this present issue was in overall pretty good shape. I did have to do a small splice in the first concerto and I think it came out ok. Enjoy the music!
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