| Label: AUDITE Catalog: AUD23422 Format: CD SolomonBEETHOVEN, LUDWIG VAN:
Piano Sonata No. 3 in C major, Op. 2, No. 3,
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 2, SCHUMANN, ROBERT:
Carnaval, Op. 9, BACH, JOHANN SEBASTIAN:
Italian Concerto, CHOPIN, FRéDéRIC:
Fantasie in F minor, Op. 49
Nocturne in B-flat minor, Op. 9, No. 1,
Scherzo in B-flat minor, Op. 31,
BRAHMS, JOHANNES:
Intermezzo in E-flat minor, Op. 118, No. 6
Intermezzo in E major, Op. 116, No. 4
Rhapsody in B-minor, Op. 79, No. 1 Wholenote Discoveries - December 2010 / January 2011
Just when we thought that there were no unreleased Solomon recordings, AUDITE has licensed 2CDs worth of recordings made in Berlin by the RIAS on February 23 and 24, 1956. Solomon, for those who are unfamiliar with the name or his superlative musicianship, was a child prodigy (so who wasn’t, I hear you say) who continued to grow to become a supreme interpreter of Beethoven, Brahms, Schumann, and Chopin. He toured North America in 1955 with recitals of works by Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Chopin, and Schumann. In this recording we hear two Beethoven sonatas, no.3 and The Moonlight, Schumann’s Carnaval, Bach’s Italian Concerto, Chopin’s Fantasie op.49, Nocturne op.9 no.1, and the Scherzo no.2 op.31. Three pieces by Brahms conclude this two hour recital, two Intermezzos and the Rhapsody in B minor, op.79 no.1. Exactly two hours of insightful interpretations played with ardour, elegance and panache (in the nicest sense) re-affirms Solomon’s place high on the honour role. After suffering a stroke during recording sessions in October 1956, he left the stage and lived until 1988 cared for by his wife. The liner notes have a mini bio and an appreciation of the pianist who, quite literally, became a legend in his own lifetime. Considering the artist and the repertoire, this is a set to treasure. Bruce Surtees |