Release Date: 09 September 2016
Label: Australian Eloquence
Packaging Type: Brilliant Case (Jewel Case size, Holds 2 CDs)
No of Units: 2
Barcode: 0028948065820
Genres: Classical
Description
Georg Solti's first recordings were as a pianist - those with the great German violinist Georg Kulenkampff, here collected in their entirety. The two artists recorded Brahms's G major sonata in February 1947 and Beethoven's 'Kreutzer' Sonata in June 1947. They completed the Brahms sonatas in July 1948. Sadly, this would be their only collaboration. Kulenkampff died on 4 October 1948, after a brief illness. He was only 50.
In these recordings with Kulenkampff, Solti's exceptional abilities as a listener, his accomplishments as a repetiteur and his instinct as a soloist combine in perfect harmony. He is discreet but never excessively deferential in accompanimental passages, and bold but never obtrusive when the piano assumes a soloistic or quasi-orchestral prominence, especially in the Brahms sonatas and Beethoven's 'Kreutzer'. These recordings were made in the days when it was still standard practice to favour the violin acoustically, perpetuating the invidious idea of the pianist as mere 'accompanist'. Yet through the very quality of his tone and impeccable judgement of his rhythm, Solti redresses the balance despite being somewhat 145;recessed' by the recording team.
'This recording reveals what a magnificent technique [Solti] possessed - his playing is pretty good, and often remarkable for his very sparing use of the pedal […] [Kulenkampff's playing] of the slow movement is exquisitely expressive.' (Beethoven) Gramophone, February 1964
'The great virtues of Kulenkampff were his sweet lyrical tone and his exquisite phrasing - this is glorious playing [Brahms Op. 78] by both artists. The last page of the slow movement is really tremendous, and touched with inspiration' (Brahms) Gramophone, May 1965
Tracklisting
Josef Krips; Various Orchestras
Josef Krips
Neville Marriner; ASMF
New Vienna Octet, Vienna Wind Soloists
Wiener Oktett
John Mauceri; The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra; Julie Andrews
Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt; LSO; Alfred Brendel
Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt; VPO; LSO; Sutherland; Backhaus
Torleif Thedeen (cello) & Marianna Shirinyan (piano)
Oslo Kammerkor, Hakon Daniel Nystedt
Berit Norbakken (soprano) & Solmund Nystabakk (lutes)
Magnus Boye Hansen (violin), Mathias Halvorsen (piano)
Anna Gourari, Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana & Markus Poschner
Gavin Bryars
Vladimir Delman; Milan RAI Symphony Orchestra
Thomas Schippers; Orchestra Sinfonica di Torino della Rai; New York Philharmonic Orchestra; Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
