Wilhelm Kempff: Great Pianists of the 20th Century

This CD from Philips Great Pianists of the 20th Century is the second of a 3 part view of Wilhelm Kempff, as chosen by Alfred Brendel, who admired Kempff.

I would have to agree that Michael Steinberg, whose comments appear in the accompanying booklet, that Kempff is particularly simple (I would add sober) in all these interpretations.

I, and now I am sure I am being shallow as my opinion contradicts Brendel's, did not like this CD. CD-2 I do not foresee me listening to, and CD-1 I am sure I can find more pleasurable (at least to my ear and experience) versions.

Regardless, this CD comes quite recommended elsewhere.

CD 1 Franz Schubert Piano Sonata in Am, D845 Moderato Andante, poco mosso Scherzo, Allegro vivace Rondo, Allegro vivace Beethoven Piano Sonata in Em, Op.90 Mit Lebhaftigkeit und durchaus mit Empfindung und Ausdruck Nicht zu geschwind und sehr singbar vorgetragen Mozart Piano Concerto #23 in A, KV 488 Ferdinand Leitner/Bamberger Symphoniker Allegro Adagio Allegro assai

CD 2 Franz Liszt Deux Légendes Saint François d'Assise: la prédication aux oiseaux Saint François de Paule marchant sur les flots Années de pèlerinage Première année: Suisse excerpts (7, 2, 4) Deuxième année: Italie excerpts (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) JS Bach + Kempff Nun komm' der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659 Jesus bleibet meine Freude (from BWV 147) Wachet auf! ruft uns die Stimme (from BWV 140)

Lipatti: Bach, Liszt, Bartók

I have to say that Dinu Lipatti is amazing. Despite this fact, I could not enjoy Liszt nor Bartók, as I expected (due to my taste of authors, of course). But Busoni's adaptation for piano of Bach's BWV 1052 - Concerto for harpsichord No.1 in D minor in the hands of Dinu Lipatti is just sublime.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
JS Bach: Concerto for harpsichord #1	Dm	BWV 1052	Eduard van Beinum / Concertgebouw orchestra,  1947	Arranged by Busoni
Franz Liszt: Piano Concerto #1	Eb	S.124	Ernest Ansermet / Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, 1947
Béla Bartók: Piano Concerto #3		Sz. 119	Paul Sacher / Orchester des Südwestdeutschen Rundfunks, 1948

Schubert: Alfred Brendel plays Schubert

This is amazing. It is a lovely set of 3 CD's from Vox. There is no loss throughout the set. (I should come to write further sometime ;). Brendel is brilliant. The set is so favourably priced as well.

Disc 1 (75:04)



• Impromptus Op.90 (D.899) no.1-4


• Moments Musicaux Op.94 (D.780), no.1-6


• Three pieces Op. Posth. (D.946) no.1-3



Disc 2 (67:27)



• Fantasia in Fm for piano 4-hands, Op.103 (D.940)


• Allegro in Am for piano 4-hands, Op.144 (D.947) "Lebensstürme"


• "Grand Duo" Sonata in C for piano 4-hands, Op.140 (D.812).
  With Evelyne Crochet



Disc 3 (74:56)



• Fantasy in C Op.15 (D.760) "Wanderer"


• Impromptus Op.142 (D.935) no.1-4


• Schubert & Liszt: Fantasy in C for Piano and Orchestra
  Michael Gielen conducts the Vienna Volksoper Orchestra