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Great Performances of Bach-Busoni, Saint-Saens and Liszt

Peter Dietrich | Boston, MA United States | 10/28/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Great Performances of Bach-Busoni, Saint-Saens and Liszt
By Peter Dietrich
President, Chopin Society of New EnglandAlexander Brailowsky (1896-1976) is the most unjustly underrated artist to my knowledge. He made his debut in Paris in 1920 where in 1924 he performed Fryderyk Chopin's 172 works, known at that time, in their entirety in six concerts at the Salle Playel, and in subsequent years, 24 more times around the world to unfailing full houses and great reviews. Brailowsky performed all over the world - South America (1922), Mexico, Cuba, USA (1924), Egypt, Israel, China, Japan, East and West Indies, Australia and of course all over Europe. He belonged to the selected group of legendary performers, which lists the likes of Ignacy Jan Paderewski and Artur Rubinstein. His interpretation of Bach-Busoni, Beethoven, Liszt, Schumann, Tchaikovsky, Saint-Saens, Mendelssohn, Schubert and Weber were enthusiastically received by critics and the public, as well as his readings of classical and modern works. But, whenever his name was mentioned, the music that came to the minds of those who heard Brailowsky in performance was that of Chopin. As I mentioned in my previous review "a stunning performance of Wagner/Liszt Tannhauser Overture" he acquired a sort of collar around his neck with the name "Chopin specialist." That label was wrong, as this present two disc set testifies as well as many other recordings. Brailowsky was capable of doing justice to all musical styles. The performances on this two-disc set recorded between 1938 and 1958 show again a great versatility of this outstanding yet almost forgotten artist. Only few of the past greatest pianists could perform this repertoire on such a high artistic level, as does Mr. Brailowsky. Most of these works demand great virtuosity and musicality and to do justice to such a versatile repertoire requires a master pianist and a master musician. The high points of this compilation are the performances of the Bach-Busoni Chaconne (from Partita No. 2 for solo violin), Saint-Saens Concerto No. 4, Op. 44, where the soloist is brilliantly accompanied by Charles Munch and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the group of eight compositions by Liszt all favorites of audiences the world over. Of particular interest is the performance of a rare and little known work Legende No.1 Saint Francis of Assisi Preaching to the Birds. Listen to the fantastic pianissimos. Only Wilhelm Kempf plays on a similar artistic level. Great performance, as all the rest on this 2 disc set. Very highly recommended. Superlatives!"