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Gems by a now forgotten master.
If Gary Graffman is known at all today, he's known as Yuja Wang's and Lang Lang's teacher. Less well known is that he was something of a child prodigy, he studied with Rudolph Serkin and Vladimir Horowitz, was contemporary with Gilels and Richter and he had a long and illustrious career. His playing is strong, thoughtful, rhythmically secure, occasionally playful and sparkling. The Beethoven is uplifting, light and lithe, strong and bold as appropriate. Graffman is especially poetic and introspective in the slow movement and the climaxes leave nothing wanting. The Chopin is lovely with the orchestral balance slightly favoring the piano. The orchestral and solo entrances are perfect and Munch and the BSO provide especially sensitive and sympatico support and bang up climaxes. Throughout the disc, it's easy to hear each orchestral part. Black background. Deep sound stage left to right and front to back.
United StatesGary Graffman Plays Beethoven & Chopin
For many years I had lamented the fact that Graffman's recordiing of Beethoven's Third Piano Concerto with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra was never commercially transfered from LP. It was a joy to hear this wonderful performance again (and in an ordinary CD ) and from the perfectly remastered recording made by High Definitation Tapes Transfers. I thank HDTT for making this and other treasurers available.
Description:
Title: Gary Graffman Plays Beethoven & Chopin: Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3 & Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1
Artist(s): Beethoven - Walter Hendl & The Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Chopin - Charles Munch & The Boston Symphony Orchestra
Source used for Transfer: Both Transferred from a RCA 4-track tape
Recording Info: Beethoven Recorded in 1961 Venue: Chicago Symphony Hall
Chopin Recorded in 1964 Venue: Boston Symphony Hall
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