Benno Moiseiwitsch

[George]

Since we don't have a thread for this great pianist yet and I wanted to ask about his recordings on Naxos Historical, I figured I'd start a new one for him. Here's a link to his Wikipedia page.

I only have a couple of discs by this pianist and would like to expand upon this by getting some of the Naxos Historical CDs by the artist. The series is currently on sale at MDT. Since there are 12 of them, I thought that you guys could help me narrow it down to the essential ones first.

Here's a list:

    * Vol.1:- SCHUMANN: Kinderszenen / MUSORGSKY: Pictures at an Exhibition (8.110668)
    * Vol.2:- LISZT: Hungarian Rhapsody / WEBER: Rondo Brillante (8.110669)
    * Vol.3:- TCHAIKOVSKY: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 (8.110655)
    * Vol.4:- RACHMANINOV: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 (8.110676)
    * Vol.5:- GRIEG / SAINT-SAENS: Piano Concertos / LISZT: Hungarian Fantasy (8.110683)
    * Vol.6:- DELIUS: Piano Concerto / RAVEL: Jeux d'eau (8.110689)
    * Vol.7:- RACHMANINOV: Preludes / MEDTNER: Sonata (8.110675)
    * Vol.8:- BEETHOVEN: Piano Concertos Nos. 3 and 5 (8.110776)
    * Vol.9:- BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonatas Nos. 8, 14, and 21 (8.111115)
    * Vol.10:- MOISEIWITSCH, Benno: Acoustic Recordings 1916-1925 (8.111116)
    * Vol.11:- CHOPIN: Piano Works (1917-1927) (8.111117)
    * Vol.12:- CHOPIN: 24 Preludes / Ballades / Fantaisie-Impromptu (1938-1952) (8.111118)
    * BEETHOVEN / BRAHMS / FRANCK: Violin Sonatas (Heifetz) — Moiseiwitsch accompanies Jascha Heifetz in Beethoven's Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, Op. 47


Again, can you tell me, in your opinion, which of the above are essential? Thanks!

[Todd]

I don't know if I can help narrow down the list.  I've bought seven volumes so far, and at this point my only concern is when I shall buy the rest.  Certainly 1, 7, 8, and 9 are high on my list of Benno favorites.

[George]

I don't know if I can help narrow down the list.  I've bought seven volumes so far, and at this point my only concern is when I shall buy the rest.  Certainly 1, 7, 8, and 9 are high on my list of Benno favorites.

Thanks Todd, I was thinking that I will eventually get them all, but with the sale going on at MDT, perhaps I won't wait.

So you dig his Beethoven, I take it? I haven't seen any discussion of those CDs.

[Todd]

So you dig his Beethoven, I take it? I haven't seen any discussion of those CDs.

Yes, it is very good.  I covered the Emperor in the appropriate thread.

[Mandryka]

Thanks Todd, I was thinking that I will eventually get them all, but with the sale going on at MDT, perhaps I won't wait.

So you dig his Beethoven, I take it? I haven't seen any discussion of those CDs.

I think the third PC is very good indeed -- with an excellent original cadenza. Well worth hearing.

As is his Chopin solo piano music -- all of it IMO.

[George]

I think the third PC is very good indeed -- with an excellent original cadenza. Well worth hearing.

As is his Chopin solo piano music -- all of it IMO.

Thanks! 

[Mandryka]

Are the Naxos transfers of his Chopin Etudes and Ballades an improvement on the APR disc?

[George]

Are the Naxos transfers of his Chopin Etudes and Ballades an improvement on the APR disc?

I haven't heard either, but I have yet to be dissapointed with a Naxos Historical release.

[George]

Now enjoying:



Benno Moiseiwitsch – First release on CD
Schumann: Carnaval and Arabeske

Recorded just two years before his death (the pianist was 71), Moiseiwitsch sounds very much alive and as always, poetic, here. Nice stereo sound too.

[ccar]

Now enjoying:

                                   No intelligent interpretation is lacking in emotional values.   Benno Moiseiwitsch 

                                                             

            http://www.youtube.com/v/iFobyhwznng&feature=related  http://www.youtube.com/v/fjlltDlJSQQ&feature=related  http://www.youtube.com/v/K0jN-gl4ryo


Like many, I've always loved Benno Moiseiwitsch. His recordings, particularly Schumann, Rachmaninoff and Chopin are widely and justly praised. But his Beethoven sonatas are probably less known. He only recorded no. 8, 14, 21 and 26. The first 3 (mono) were already published in CD (APR and Naxos) but until now his last (stereo) recordings of the "Moonlight" and "Les Adieux" had been only briefly available during the LP era.

I was already fond of Moiseiwitsch's playing the Beethoven sonatas. But today, after listening (trice) his stereo recording of "Les Adieux" it touched me as one of the most impressive I can remember. Some may say it is far too individual, and certainly unorthodox. But how wonderful to rediscover that rich tone, that sense of natural but imaginative phrasing, the wide range of colors and such rhythmic drive, building a sound architectural design. And, all along his playing, a constant infusion of poetic intent, as only a few can evoke.



                                                               

[Mandryka]

Has the Les Adieux sonata been commercially released on CD, ccar? Or do you have an amateur transfer? Or were you listening on LP?

[ccar]

Has the Les Adieux sonata been commercially released on CD, ccar? Or do you have an amateur transfer? Or were you listening on LP?

The Liszt Legacy
Beethoven / Benno Moiseiwitsch
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2 'Moonlight'
Piano Sonata No. 26 in E flat major, Op. 81a 'Les Adieux'
Andante Favori in F, Wo057

[Coopmv]

This recording has one of the best Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition I have ever heard ...

[Mandryka]

The  Kreisleriana in the new DG box is very good. There's a magic about it -- and not just in the more lyrical parts either. I must admit I was sceptical when I put it on -- another Kreisleriana, and this one by a pianist who is a bit past his sell by date.

But no, this is an interesting Kreisleriana, no doubt about it.

Could someone who has the live Kreisleriana say how they compare?

This recording has one of the best Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition I have ever heard ...

I don't know the Pictures there (I don't much like the music), but the Brahms is interesting. It dates from 1930 I think -- the interesting question is how it compares with his 1953 Handel Variations on Testament.

Personally I prefer the post war recording -- it shows the naivity of the idea that he deteriorated post war. In fact things are more complex than that. There are excellent post war records (Beethoven PC 3, parts of Schumann Op 12 Fantasiestueke, the Schumann Fantasie maybe (need to check the date.)) And there are pre war recordings which are not so successful (Kinderszenen)

[Coopmv]

The  Kreisleriana in the new DG box is very good. There's a magic about it -- and not just in the more lyrical parts either. I must admit I was sceptical when I put it on -- another Kreisleriana, and this one by a pianist who is a bit past his sell by date.

But no, this is an interesting Kreisleriana, no doubt about it.

Could someone who has the live Kreisleriana say how they compare?



I don't know the Pictures there (I don't much like the music), but the Brahms is interesting. It dates from 1930 I think -- the interesting question is how it compares with his 1953 Handel Variations on Testament.

Personally I prefer the post war recording -- it shows the naivity of the idea that he deteriorated post war. In fact things are more complex than that. There are excellent post war records (Beethoven PC 3, parts of Schumann Op 12 Fantasiestueke, the Schumann Fantasie maybe (need to check the date.)) And there are pre war recordings which are not so successful (Kinderszenen)

I do not have the CD within my reach at this point - it is in some big pile on the floor in my listening room, awaiting to be organized.  I believe the CD was reconstructed/remastered by either MOT or Ward Marston, two of the best in the reconstruction/remastering business ...

[George]

I don't know the Pictures there (I don't much like the music),

I don't blame you. Natan Brand's is quite good. Have you heard it?

And there are pre war recordings which are not so successful (Kinderszenen)

Really? That pre war one was one of the recordings that helped me appteciate this pianist.

[ccar]

The  Kreisleriana in the new DG box is very good. There's a magic about it -- and not just in the more lyrical parts either. I must admit I was sceptical when I put it on -- another Kreisleriana, and this one by a pianist who is a bit past his sell by date.

But no, this is an interesting Kreisleriana, no doubt about it.

Could someone who has the live Kreisleriana say how they compare?

I prefer the studio Kreisleriana (Decca/DG) to the live one (Pearl).
Some of Moiseiwitsch's live recordings are wonderful but the Kreisleriana does not impress me as much. And it's not because of the poor sound or the technical faults. Contrary to Cortot's 1950's Kreisleriana, where many wrong notes almost seem the natural result of unique moments of improvisational phrasing and expression.     


                                                               http://www.youtube.com/v/8SWZRygTzi0

[Mandryka]

I don't blame you. Natan Brand's is quite good. Have you heard it?

Really? That pre war one was one of the recordings that helped me appteciate this pianist.

I find it a bit stiff. Have you heard the Moravec Nonsuch LP?  Steve |Emerson transferred it for me.

[Mandryka]

I prefer the studio Kreisleriana (Decca/DG) to the live one (Pearl).
Some of Moiseiwitsch's live recordings are wonderful but the Kreisleriana does not impress me as much. And it's not because of the poor sound or the technical faults. Contrary to Cortot's 1950's Kreisleriana, where many wrong notes almost seem the natural result of unique moments of improvisational phrasing and expression.     


                                                               http://www.youtube.com/v/8SWZRygTzi0

Thanks carlos. I had heard some negative things about that live Kreisleriana and that had stopped me buying the CD.

I'm very glad you're enjoying the Cortot! I really think it was a shame that Philips pulled the late Symphonic Etudes and Kreisleriana. But we have them, at least. (I'm assuming you have the post war Symphonic Etudes. If not let me know because it is quite simply wonderful.)

[George]

I find it a bit stiff. Have you heard the Moravec Nonsuch LP?  Steve |Emerson transferred it for me.

Yes, I got it, but I need the late Symphonic Etudes and Kreisleriana by Cortot, if you can help me out I'd appreciate it.