This is a fabulous
disc on at least two levels.
First, we have the
opportunity to listen to twelve legendary
pianists from the early 1900s. These
pianistic titans didn’t play like today’s
stellar pianists. They took many risks,
made their fair share of technical errors,
and often deviated from the scores they
played. Their performances were highly
individualized but always played with
the spirit and soundworld of the composer
in mind.
Second, those of us
who collect historical recordings are
hardly enamored of the ancient sound
that must be dealt with; our attraction
to these old recordings is based entirely
on the artistry and interpretations
of a golden era. We live with the poor
sound in order to hear wonderful interpretations
of our favorite music.
This brings me to the
Welte-Mignon piano reproducing system,
a digital invention of the early 1900s
that allows performances from nearly
a century ago to sound as if the artists
are in your home right at this moment.
I can’t sufficiently emphasize the transcendent
experience of hearing these legends
in superb sound, because one must listen
to this digital system to fully realize
how groundbreaking it is.
Of course, not everyone
is a big fan of Welte-Mignon. Complaints
have mainly centered on the premise
that the piano rolls do not exactly
capture the actual performance, that
nuance is sacrificed along with piano
tone. However, it seems clear to me
that ancient sound also does not accurately
reflect piano tone or nuance. Given
the two choices, I would definitely
opt for the Welte-Mignon.
The program for Volume
1 of this Naxos series is on the light
side, but such pianism is well worth
a string of musical bonbons and arrangements.
Among the many highlights, I am most
taken by Ignacy Paderewski’s performance
of his Minuet. He conveys the ‘elixir
of life’, and his rhythmic flow and
compelling use of hesitations make for
the best interpretation on record.
Of course, Josef Lhevinne
was no slouch, and his performance of
"The Blue Danube" arrangement
has an exuberance and sweep nobody has
ever surpassed. Having Camille Saint-Saëns
play his own music is a major treat,
and Josef Hofmann gives an absolutely
riveting performance of Chopin’s Polonaise
with his concentrated power and slashing
rhythms.
Among other feasts
for the senses, the Schubert/Tausig
Military March gets a rousing performance
from Télémaque Lambrino,
and Walter Gieseking never sounded as
clean and detailed as in his Freiburg
reading of Ravel’s Ondine. I also shouldn’t
neglect to mention that the Horowitz
performance of the Carmen Fantasy just
might knock you off your chair with
its tremendous voltage.
Progressing through
the disc, it becomes crystal clear that
each of the featured pianists was ‘born
to the keyboard’. To have these captivating
performances available in outstanding
sound at the low Naxos price is a testimony
to human enterprise and inspiration.
I strongly suggest readers partake of
an experience that will surely be memorable,
evocative, and illuminating.
Don Satz
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110677 [68:02]