Search - Vladimir Horowitz :: Solo Recordings

Pearl Gets These Classic Horowitz Reissues Right

Hank Drake | Cleveland, OH United States | 05/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Vladimir Horowitz's earliest recordings, believed by some to be his finest, have been reissued numerous times since their initial appearance over 70 years ago.



Horowitz's first recordings were made in RCA's Camden, New Jersey studios in 1928. They consisted of short, "encore" type works such as his own Carmen Variations and Danse Excentrique, Debussy's Serenade, and Dohnanyi's Capriccio. From 1930-1936, Horowitz concentrated his recording activity in London (RCA's European affiliate, HMV, had not been as decimated by the Great Depression than its American counterpart).



This reissue contains some classics. The Liszt Sonata has never been equaled and is a must for any serious collector, as is the Funerailles. But the Hungarian composer's Valse oubliee is played more captivatingly in Horowitz's 1985 recording. It's hard to imagine in this day and age that Horowitz's version of Haydn's E-flat sonata was a world premiere recording, but indeed it was. Its relaxed elegance continues to charm, and it remains more musicologically "correct" than Horowitz's 1951 live version. Horowitz was also an early champion of Scarlatti, and recorded the composer's Capriccio as transcribed by Tausig. The two sonatas included here are among the first recordings of "pure" Scarlatti. The pianist preferred his Bach "un-pure", and the Choral Prelude as transcribed by Busoni is a miracle of line separation and clarity. Horowitz's early foray into Beethoven, the 32 Variations in C minor, is more straightforward and successful than many of his later attempts with this composer.



Horowitz's early Schumann, though technically impeccable, did not quite plumb the depths as in his later recordings. So much the better then, that the pianist limited himself to recording shorter works, including an Arabeske with unmatched legato, an effortless Toccata, and whimsical Traumeswirren. Originally intended as the finale for Schumann's G minor sonata, the Presto Passionato was rejected by the composer's wife as unplayable. Horowitz makes it sound like child's play. (Pearl's is the only reissue that I know of that gets the 78RPM side change right in this piece.)



Horowitz once referred to Chopin and "the only truly great composer for the piano" and he invariably included a selection of the Polish master's music in his recitals. The sampling here includes four technically impeccable Etudes, four Mazurkas, and a remarkably up-tempo Scherzo in E major.



Horowitz also championed "modern" composers like Rachmaninoff and Poulenc. It says much about the changing mores of performing that Horowitz (often condemned these days for violating composers' intentions) received nothing but praise from the many composers he knew personally. While the Poulenc Pastourelle and Toccata are gracious and dazzling, the Rachmaninoff G minor Prelude is disappointingly sloppy. A thrilling Russian Dance from Stravinsky's Petrouchka is also included.



Pearl has handled these old recordings with care, and they sound better than in any other issue thus far. Highest recommendation.

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