Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)
Variations on a German Theme (Posth.)
Nocturne No.20 in C Sharp minor, Lento Con Gran' Espressione
Tarantella in A Flat Op.43
Introduction and Rondo in E Flat Major Op.16
Prelude in A Flat Major (Posth.)
Prelude in C Sharp Minor Op.45
Barcarolle in F Sharp Major Op.60
Variations Brillantes Op.12
Bolero Op.19
George Banhalmi (piano)
rec. June 1957, New York
FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR1956 [53]
As with the majority of their releases, Forgotten Records don’t supply any notes with this disc, and neither does the internet yield much information about the pianist on this recording, George Banhalmi. What little I have gleaned is here. He was a Hungarian, born in Budapest in 1926. He studied at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music, where his teachers included Zóltan Kódaly, Béla Ambroczy, János Ferencsik, János Viski, and Leó Weiner. He was a laureate of the Queen Elisabeth of Belgium competition in 1956. That same year, during the Hungarian uprising against Soviet control, he left Hungary and settled in the United States. He taught for many years at the Music Center of the North Shore (now the Music Institute of Chicago), in Winnetka, Illinois and died in 1985. He was also a composer. A Chicago Tribune obituary said of him: ''He loved the romantics, particularly Liszt and Bartók. He had a broad repertoire and was a brilliant pianist with a reputation for playing difficult pieces and performing them well.''
What I find attractive about this disc is that Banhalmi has included some less well known Chopin piano works rather than opting for a recital consisting of wall to wall familiar and popular repertoire. Three of the rarities are new to me: Variations On A German Theme (Posth.), Prelude A Flat Major (Posth.) and Variations brillantes on 'Je vends des scapulaires' from Hérold's Ludovic in B flat major, Op 12. Granted, they’re not masterpieces, but it’s good to be acquainted with them and hear them from time to time. The Introduction and Rondo E Flat Major Op.16 I did know. There’s a marvellous film of Horowitz performing it in his living room in 1974, and whilst Banhalmi doesn’t have quite the range of colour and dynamics that Horowitz possesses, it’s a riveting performance nevertheless. The Variations brillantes on 'Je vends des scapulaires' from Hérold's Ludovic in B flat major, Op 12 is an early work of shallow brilliance from 1833. It’s base on a melody from an opera by Hérold and Halévy.
The Bolero, which closes the disc, showcases Banhalmi’s technical virtuosity in spectacular fashion. He dispatches it with relish, and his glittering finger work is something to behold. The Tarantelle, likewise has the requisite dazzling moments. The Barcarolle is invested with poise and elegance, and certainly doesn’t fall short on poetry.
All in all, this is an enjoyable disc by a pianist who seems no longer to be on the radar. Forgotten Records’ transfers do the recording full justice. I wouldn’t mind hearing more from this pianist.
Stephen Greenbank
