Shura Cherkassky - The Ambassador Auditorium Recitals, 1981-1989 [Boxset]

FIRST HAND RECORDS

£24.35

Cat. no: FHR099
Format: BXSET
Barcode: 5060216341699
Release Date: 15 Nov 2024
Genre: Classical

Shura Cherkassky (1909-1995) was a Russian-American concert pianist known for his performances of the romantic repertoire

He was one of the last pianists to come from the Golden Age of Pianism, whose playing was characterised by a virtuoso technique and singing piano tone.

Cherkassky early on in his career earned a reputation for spontaneity, creativity, and technical perfection in his playing. His sound was unique and became almost instantly recognisable and was famous for never playing the same piece the same way.

In addition to the standard virtuoso repertoire, especially that of Chopin, Liszt, and Rachmaninov, Cherkassky also performed works by Hofmann, Hindemith, Morton Gould, Britten, Luciano Berio, Alban Berg, Stockhausen, Boulez and other 20th century/contemporary composers.

The stimulus of a live audience always produced a more compelling performance from Cherkassky than he would give in a recording studio. Presented here are all the recital performances, totalling over fve hours, which he gave at the Ambassador Auditorium between 1981 and 1989, published for the frst time.

Tracks: Chopin: Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23 / Chopin: Nocturne No. 2 in E fat major, Op. 9, No. 2 / Chopin: Nocturne No. 15 in F minor, Op. 55, No. 1 / Chopin: Andante spianato et Grande Polonaise brillante in E fat major I. Andante spianato / II. Grande Polonaise brillante / Chopin: Fantaisie in F minor / Chopin: Impromptu No. 2 in F sharp major / Chopin: Fantaisie- impromptu in C sharp minor, Op. 66 / Chopin: Scherzo No. 2 in B fat minor / II. Molto allegro / Lully: Suite de Pieces I. Allemande / II. Air tendre / III. Courante / IV. Sarabande / V. Gigue / Mendelssohn: Scherzo a capriccio in F sharp minor / Tchaikovsky: Grand Sonata in G major I. Moderato e risoluto / II. Andante non troppo quasi moderato / III. Scherzo. Allegro giocoso / IV. Finale. Allegro vivace / Chopin: Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52 (1843) / Hofmann: Charakterskizzen No. 4. Kaleidoskop / Liszt: Reminiscences de Don Juan / Cherkassky: Prelude pathetique / Chopin: Waltz No. 5 in A fat major, Op. 42, 'Grande valse' / Franck: Prelude, Choral et Fugue Prelude / Choral / Fugue / Schumann: Carnaval Preambule / Pierrot / Arlequin / Valse noble / Eusebius / Florestan / Coquette / Replique / Papillons / A.S.C.H.- S.C.H.A. (lettres dansantes) / Chiarina / Chopin / Estrella / Reconnaissance / Pantalon et Colombine / Valse allemande / Paganini / Aveu / Promenade / Pause / Marche des Davidsbundler contre les Philistins / Rachmaninov: Variations on a Theme of Corelli / Chopin: Nocturne No. 15 in F minor, Op. 55, No. 1 / Chopin: Barcarolle in F sharp major, Op. 60 / liszt: RValse de l'opera Faust de Gounod / Albeniz: Espana II. Tango / Rachmaninov: Polka de W.R. / Tchaikovsky: The Seasons No. 10. October: Autumn Song / Handel: Keyboard Suite No.5 in E Major IV. Air and Variations, 'The Harmonious Blacksmith' / Schumann: Fantasy in C major, Op. 17 III. Langsam getragen. Durchweg leise zu halten / Tchaikovsky: 6 Morceaux, Op. 19 No. 6. Theme original et variations in F major / Rachmaninov: 7 Morceaux de salon, Op. 10 No. 3. Barcarolle in G minor / liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 in C sharp minor / Albeniz: Espana II. Tango / Chopin: Tarentelle in A fat major, Op. 43