Simon Barere and Witold Maluczynski perform Liszt, Chopin & Franck

 

Genius. Listen to Simon Barere play Liszt's arrangement of the Waltz from Faust of Gounod. Genius.

 

I was absolutely overjoyed that this beat to hell Remington lp cleaned up as well as it did. It is magnificent. Why? Because Simon Barere combines the technical virtuosity of a Richter with the pure musicianship of a Schnabel. Plain and simple. I can't really say anything more.

 

I have included in this download the contents of a Columbia Entre lp featuring the fine pianist Witold Maluczynski. The album features two works: Chopin's second sonata and the Franck Prelude, Chorale and Fugue. Maluczynski was especially reknowned as an interpreter of his countryman's works and the sonata comes off quite winningly in his hands.

 

But, in the end, you will want this download for Barere and you will treasure his artistry.

 

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More from Lenore Engdahl

A follower of my blog, Dan from California, was most kind to send more from music from the ten gifted fingers of Lenore Engdahl. I am pleased to offer Ms Engdahl in Franck's Prelude, Chorale and Fugue and Dukas' rarely heard Variations on a Theme of Rameau. Both these works were from a stereo LP of which I have no additional information.

Dan wrote me that Ms Engdahl lives in a retirement community outside of Boston and is a remarkable 93 years of age. She had settled in greatly Boston many years ago after becoming a professor at Boston University.  Dan did mention that though a great and respected artist, Ms Engdahl consciously placed her family and students ahead of  personal ambitions and a concert career. On evidence of what I have heard, she would have been a highly successful concert hall artist, especially as a recitalist.

The two works offered here are brilliantly played. Ms Engdahl combines insight and intelligence with superlative technique and scrupulous musicianship. The Franck, a massive work, is played stately and with nobility and the Dukas captures the charm and wit of the theatrical Rameau. I'd love to hear Ms Engdahl in an all baroque program - it would probably be a smashing recital!

On a personal note, one of the great thrills of collecting is discovering an artist previously unknown to me. Especially important, is when that artist reminds me of how little I know!

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Willem van Otterloo conducts Franck's Psyche

I'd say this is pretty unusual fare here. Though the record is not in the best of shape, the music is so rarely heard, or recorded, that I felt it would be a good transfer and service to the community. Here then is Willem van Otterloo and the Hague PO (Residentie Orchestra) and Netherlands Chamber Choir in Cesar Franck's complete symphonic poem, Psyche.

I think it is a pity that Franck gets short changed in regards to what we listen to of his output. Everyone knows the Symphony in d but who has heard this equally fine piece, or for that matter the marvelously serene, yet admittedly flawed, oratorio Les Beatitudes? Not many. The fine conductor Willem van Otterloo not only demonstrates a great sympathy for Psyche but makes a strong case for this, at times Brucknerian sounding, symphonic poem. After listening, I wondered what Otterloo would sound like in Bruckner. There is a recording that he made in Vienna of the seventh and I wish that I had it! Without a doubt, Otterloo has command of "line" and I'm sure his Bruckner would be fascinating.

Willem van Otterloo was an important conductor in the Netherlands during his lifetime. His principal activity was captured at The Hague however there were occasional trips to Amsterdam, Berlin and Vienna. His last years were centered  in Australia, strangely enough. Otterloo did have the misfortune of being in the shadow of Mengelberg and van Beinum  and strangely enough he was bypassed by the Concertgebouw when Beinum died and Jochum and Haitink pretty much took over artistic responsibilities. I'll bet this was a blow to Otterloo possibly influencing his decision to go down under after a career that was so focused in his homeland. Nevertheless, Otterloo carved out a decent discography and was especially valued as a concerto partner by many of the leading soloists of the day. He was, to all accounts, a sane, collegial and hardworking musician who treated others with the appropriate respect and professionalism.

There is an honesty and professionalism that combine with great musicianship which make this recording of Psyche so persuasive and special. I cannot think of a better introduction to Otterloo's art then this rare performance of a shamefully neglected work. I would too, encourage listeners to have a go at Otterloo's fine take on the Symphony in d with his beloved Hague orchestra available here.

I am not sure of the exact date of this mono record, perhaps between 1955 and 58.

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Leonid Hambro and Jascha Zayde perform Saint Saens, Debussy, Franck, and Poulenc

I seem to have developed a "thing" for four hand piano music over the last few years. I cannot really explain why this is so but the combination of two like minded individuals, pounding the ivories in great music is, well...so irresistible!

Here we have the contents of two LP's, issued on Columbia and Command Classics, that feature the talents of the all but forgotten piano duo of Leonid Hambro and Jascha Zayde. Hambro is best known for his long association with the legendary Victor Borge while Zayde, I must confess, was totally unknown to me. Turns out that Zayde was a fixture on New York radio for many years while Hambro, after pretty much retiring from concertizing, taught at the university level. Together, they prove to be excellent collaborators and they play with good taste and superb musicianship in this program of French music.

I want to call attention here to the exquisite performance of Carnival of the Animals with words by Ogden Nash recited by the great Noel Coward. This really is, in my opinion, a definitive take on this delightful work, Hambro and Zayde are magnificent and Andre Kostelanetz leads his New York musicians to the manner born. You will enjoy this immensely!

I have another Hambro and Zayde LP, Mozart and Schubert, and I will upload at sometime down the line.

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