William Kapell

[Mandryka]

One of America's post war pianistic hopes, child prodigy, killed at 31 in an aircraft disaster. I am getting interested in his work. Sometimes -- like in the Sarabande and the Minuet of the 4th partita --  I can hear genius: a sense that he's letting go. Another example would be the largo of Beethoven's 3rd concerto on the Arbiter CD. And the Copland sonata. And the Op 12/1 (Beethoven) Sonata with Grumiaux from the Casals festivals at Prades.

Anyway I thought I would start this here just in case there's anyone interested in him.

There is, by the way, an interview here, where he shows himself to be a very careful thinker. Interesting ideas about Chopin's B minor sonata, for example, which made me think of the old idea that you should play Chopin like Mozart and Mozart like Chopin. (who said that?) And an extraordinary discussion about how he felt about the process of making recordings towards the end.

http://www.youtube.com/v/NKzYpgS7gh8

[George]

Interesting ideas about Chopin's B minor sonata, for example, which made me think of the old idea that you should play Chopin like Mozart and Mozart like Chopin. (who said that?)

Vladimir Horowitz.