Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms, Felix [1] Mendelssohn :: Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor Op. 57 "Appassionata"; Brahms: Händel Variations Op. 24 and others

Serkin Live at his very best

Richard Steiger | Murray, KY USA | 02/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Since this cd is a rerelease of a recital formerly on Aura, I'll just repeat my review of the previous cd, making a few changes brought about by repeated listenings.

Those familiar with Rudolf Serkin primarily from the drab DGG recordings made when he was well past his prime, or as Columbia's "house pianist" in the 50s and 60s, are in for a surprise when they listen to this stunning live recital disc, recorded in 1957. Serkin begins (the actual recital began with the G flat impromptu, but there was no time for it on the cd) with the last of Schubert's impromptus, played at an almost impossibly furious pace, a performance that makes all others sound tame by comparison. Bach's Capriccio on the Departure of his Beloved Brother is an extraordinary example of a great musician can make Bach completely idiomatic on the piano. The opening section of the work is particularly moving. I've heard dozens (perhaps hundreds) of performances of the Appassionata Sonata, but if I had to take one of them to the proverbial desert island, this would be the one. It's simply perfect throughout, by turns tempestuous and lyrical (particularly in the slow movement, played with remarkable gravitas). Brahms' wonderful Handel Variations receives a romantic performance with more tempo fluctuation than is usual (Serkin has a tendency to slow down at the ends of variations). Though I prefer Arrau's steadier performance (a live recital on Aura not to be missed), this mercurial performance is hard to resist. Finally, some Mendelssohn tossed off with great velocity and accuracy. One doesn't usually think of Serkin a s a super-virtuoso, but this live recital leaves no doubt of it. The sound of the cd is perfectly listenable if not exactly elegant. Serkin's pedaling is more than a little noisy at times, but on this disc it just seems to underscore the intensity of his playing. No one interested in great piano playing should be without this disc."