Josef Hofmann - Complete Josef Hofmann 6 (30 tracks) +Album Reviews

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Josef Hofmann
Complete Josef Hofmann 6
Genres: Dance & Electronic, Classical

Track Listings (17) - Disc #1
1. Piano Sonata No. 14 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2, 'Moonlight': I. Adagio sostenuto
2. Piano Sonata No. 14 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2, 'Moonlight': II. Allegretto
3. Piano Sonata No. 14 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2, 'Moonlight': III. Presto agitato
4. Nocturne In F Sharp, Op. 15, No. 2
5. Waltz In A Flat, Op. 42
6. Waltz In D Flat, Op. 64, No. 1, 'Minute'
7. Piano Sonata No. 21 In C, Op. 53, 'Waldstein': I. Allegro con brio
8. Piano Sonata No. 21 In C, Op. 53, 'Waldstein': II. Introduzione: Adagio molto
9. Piano Sonata No. 21 In C, Op. 53, 'Waldstein': III. Rondo: Allegretto moderato-Prestissimo
10. Kreisleriana, Op. 16: I. Agitatissimo
11. Kreisleriana, Op. 16: II. Con molto espressione, non troppo presto
12. Kreisleriana, Op. 16: V. Vivace assai
13. Kreisleriana, Op. 16: VI. Lento assai
14. Kreisleriana, Op. 16: VII. Molto presto
15. Kreisleriana, Op. 16: VIII. Vivace e scherzando
16. Polonaise In E Flat Minor, Op. 26, No. 2
17. Nocturne In B, Op. 9, No. 3
Track Listings (13) - Disc #2
1. Waltz In E Flat, Op. 18, 'Valse Brillante'
2. Ballade No. 4 In F Minor, Op. 52
3. Waltz In D Flat, Op. 64, No. 1 'Minute'
4. Caprice Orientale, Op. 10, No. 2
5. Moment Musical, Op. 94, No.3
6. Kaleidoskop, Op. 40, No. 4
7. Penguine, No. 1 From 'Three Impressions'
8. Piano Concerto No. 4 In G, Op. 58: I. Allegro moderato
9. Piano Concerto No. 4 In G, Op. 58: II. Andante con moto
10. Piano Concerto No. 4 In G, Op. 58: III. Rondo: Vivace
11. Piano Sonata No. 14 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2, 'Moonlight': U.S. Columbia (48946-4) unpublished-13 October 1916
12. Piano Sonata No. 14 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2, 'Moonlight': U.S. Columbia (48946-5) unpublished-13 October 1916
13. Piano Sonata No. 14 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2, 'Moonlight': Bell Telephone Hour-31 July 1944

CD Details

All Artists: Josef Hofmann
Title: Complete Josef Hofmann 6
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Marston
Release Date: 11/24/1998
Genres: Dance & Electronic, Classical
Styles: Chamber Music, Forms & Genres, Ballads, Concertos, Fantasies, Sonatas, Historical Periods, Classical (c.1770-1830), Modern, 20th, & 21st Century, Romantic (c.1820-1910)
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaCD Credits: 2
UPC: 638335201429

CD Reviews

Hofmann -- Worthwhile but Quirky

Richard Mathisen | Ambler, PA USA | 03/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Volume 6 is primarily Josef Hofmann's Casimir Hall Recital of 1938, featuring the Beethoven "Waldstein" Sonata and the Schumann Kreisleriana (slightly abridged), plus some shorter pieces. It also includes a complete recording of the Beethoven Moonlight Sonata from 1936 and a complete recording of a broadcast of the Beethoven G major Concerto from 1941. This pair of CD's needs a little caution -- Hofmann was in a strange mood for the Casimir Hall Recital, since he had been fired as director of the Curtis Institute shortly before the recital and his mood is, well, strange. But much of the playing is still wonderful. My assumption is that anyone interested in Hofmann will start by getting Volumes 1 & 2 -- the Chopin Concertos and the 1937 Golden Jubilee Recital. Beyond that, in choosing among Volumes 3 to 6, Volume 6 offers some unusual repertoire for Hoffman. The Waldstein is both astonishing and quirky, a performance you have to hear to believe, not that you will necessarily like it. The tempos in the second and third movement are far faster than anyone else has attempted. The melodic line and the tempos are sometimes distorted beyond recognition. But it's still amazing! In the Chopin Minute Waltz, the repeat is taken in thirds! For piano aficionados and Hofmann lovers, this is a "must" recording. For others, it is good but ranks below Volumes 4 or 5, due to problems in the Casimir Hall portion -- the quirkiness at times and the sound level that fluctuates. An excellent 32 page booklet is included."

Yo yo foo's! Hofmann be the bomb KABLAMM!

John Atherton | 12/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rachmaninov considered Hofmann to be the greatest pianist he had ever seen, and these recordings are to show. Reviewing Rachmaninov's recordings of Chopin, as far as precision and skill, Hofmann kills Sergei. Every note exploads with this individual sensation of sound that only Hofmann can emit. The musical ideas are genuine. Give a listen to his original performance of Chopin's minute waltz. It's unlike anything you've ever heard. For this pianist's small fingers, he sure does have the advantage over the other greats in pounding out immaculate works from his customized Steinway & Sons."

Astonishing Performances Not to be Missed.

Bob Smith | San Francisco, CA USA | 04/02/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Want to know why Hofmann was considered to be one of the greatest titans of the keyboard? Well, let's forget nicey-nice performances, drop our scores, widen our emotional dynamic ranges, open our hearts and minds and really listen to his performance of the Chopin f minor Ballade! It is incredibly personal, passionate, and shattering! There is nothing like it, yet there there is so much more on this set to learn from and be moved by. Here is astounding pianism and musicianship from one of the greatest pianists of all time recorded live, close to his prime. Ward Marston has done wonders with the sound."