The two works on this disc have much in common. Both are sets
of variations on some well-known tune, each treats its theme
rather liberally. They are as close to piano concertos as can
be, but what distinguishes them from a concerto is the goal:
the emphasis is not on the piano writing, but on the development
of the music itself - the piano just happens to be the forward
player.
The Variations on a Nursery Tune by Dohnányi start with
a brooding introduction, as if extracted from a Brahms symphony.
It is full of grand gestures, blaring brass, full orchestral
attacks, and does not hint at what will follow. No sign of a
variation yet: its motifs are not based on the main theme of
the work, except for the phrase of the horns. Instead, the music
seems to come from the drafts of Wagner or Franck. The theme
then comes as a big surprise - what? that's what it is all about?
Mozart already based variations on Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman
(aka Twinkle Twinkle Little Star), but then the theme
was not surrounded by such seriousness!
The theme is presented very simply, with minimal accompaniment.
The variations are extremely diverse, passing through an array
of late-Romantic styles. Starting with merry runs of the glimmering
piano, through a burlesque with brass calls, we arrive at a
sensual and suave waltz which mixes Richard Strauss with Tchaikovsky.
This is followed by a healthy, rustic scene a-la Dvorák, then
by the song of glittering silver bells, and by a prankish quarrel
of high woodwinds. Another grand waltz - this time noble
et sentimentale, just as Ravel would have had it. A fast
march, with dark wood-notes of bassoon and odour of boots and
rifles, evokes the Tralali, Tralalei, Tralala of Mahler.
After it Holst's Uranus is mixed with some young Shostakovich
for a jumping, sharply accentuated and mischievous episode.
The resemblance to the theme is barely heard by now. After a
Brucknerian brass chorale, the strings sing a warm Romantic
melody that could fit a Rachmaninov concerto. The swirl is tighter
and tighter, the music becomes anxious and frenetic, the wave
rises and erupts in a powerful Wagnerian climax. The next variation
is reminiscent of planetary mechanics - grandiose and elegant.
Next comes the golden filigree, with transparent lightness and
joie de vivre. Suddenly the theme returns and reminds
us how simple the source of all this richness and variety was.
A short, jubilant ending wraps all up.
If it is your first introduction to the Dohnányi Variations,
you should be aware of its subtitle: “For the enjoyment of humorous
people and for the annoyance of the others”. In all the faux
pathos of the Wagnerian introduction, the pregnant pauses and
the overexcited climaxes, the composer is jesting, making fun
of almost every name popular in 1914. Katchen enjoys wearing
all these masks, and plays with bravura and character. Together
with Boult, they produce sparkles and a lot of fun.
The same forces in the same year and venue recorded Rachmaninov's
Rhapsody. Unlike Dohnányi’s work, this is a developing
story, like music to a ballet. The variations are bold and adventurous,
projecting the famous theme by Paganini in all possible directions.
Its demonic and lyrical sides are explored all the way to deepest
abysses and highest peaks. The Dies irae motif is recurring,
as it appears to be a close relative of the theme. We spend
much time in the midnight world of the Symphonic Dances.
The episodes are not separate, as in Dohnányi Variations, but
form a cinematographic chain of scenes - ghostly, heroic, sinister,
triumphant. The orchestration is colorful and inventive. The
performance is rather on the "fast and furious" side,
the piano is recorded closer than on Dohnányi, and its sound
is grand yet beautiful. The entire work is done compactly and
coherently. The coordination between the soloist and the orchestra
is excellent, both rhythmically and dynamically. The 18th Variation
is not over-sugared. The last few variations are performed with
white-hot intensity and are positively mind-shattering. All
in all, if somebody wants to have just one single version of
this work, this recording could be an excellent candidate.
I may be wrong, but it seems to me that these are the same performances
that were recorded by Decca/London and issued in the Julius
Katchen II volume of the Philips series "Great Pianists
of the 20th Century" (those brown "books"). However,
the sound quality is definitely different, as the Pristine record
benefits from an XR re-mastering by Andrew Rose - a new transfer
from the original tapes. While the difference is not radical,
it is noticeable if you compare side by side. The Decca/Philips
record has more tape hiss, but the sound there is more unified.
The tape hiss was tamed on the Pristine record - not completely,
and is still rather noticeable in Rachmaninov. The Pristine
sound is deeper; the music suddenly acquires more dimensions.
Rachmaninov in particular became even more spectacular. The
surrounding ambience is rather "dead" in Philips,
more "alive" in Pristine. This is all great, but at
the same time the minor fluctuations that were veiled before
have become more apparent now. Andrew Rose in his restoration
notes mentions a tendency to mild distortion during brass peaks,
and I still hear it. So, the new restoration is better for loudspeakers,
but probably worse if you listen via headphones. Also, Pristine
put each work in a single track, while Philips has each variation
on a separate track, which is more convenient. Philips also
has the benefit of the company: the generously filled double-disc
set also contains both Ravel's concertos, Liszt's Second, Prokofiev's
Third, Rhapsody in Blue and a rondo by Beethoven - a
true constellation! If you already have it, you probably won't
need this new release. The liner-note is minimal and not very
informative.
Oleg Ledeniov
Julius Katchen (piano)
