Search - Frederic Chopin, Aaron Copland, Modest Mussorgsky :: Frick Collection Recital

Technically flawed recording nevertheless has gems in it.

F. W. Walker | Mission Viejo, CA United States | 07/31/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This mono recording was apparently recovered from a damaged tape, and despite the modern technology used to remaster it, the recording remains distractingly flawed. The piano has quite a "ringy" tone and its bass register sounds attenuated. But what is really annoying is the faint, background presence of some voices from a wholly separate recording (apparently inadequately erased from a previous tape-recording.)Once you get over the recording flaws, the disc does have its moments. I would not include the "Pictures" rendition among them, although its performance is certainly adequate. The Copland piece is interesting, while the Chopin (which I normally find difficult to be enthusiastic about) is quite vibrant and is delicately nuanced.Capell demonstrates his originality in the rendition of the deceptively simple (and far too brief) Scarlatti piece. He virtually breathes life into this Baroque harpsichord piece, amazingly, managing to do so with minimal reliance on the piano's inherently better amplitude dynamics.So this is still a worthy disc, especially for Copland, Scarlatti, and, of course, Capell fans."

Lovely

11/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This disk served as my introduction (and so far, my only exposure) to Kapell. I'd read favorable reviews and so decided to take the plunge (I was looking for a recording of "Pictures").
I would recommend this performance (recorded live at New York City's Frick Collection in 1953) to anyone, including newcomers to classical music. While Richter's Sofia reading of Pictures is in a class by itself, this one comfortably manages to more than hold its own. The other works are all beautifully played by someone who truly understands and "lives with" them; the Copland, which I'd never heard before, was a particular treat. The variety offered is especially nice--the listener travels backwards through time from the 20th Century to the 17th, with Kapell serving as masterful guide. The sonics are quite clean thanks to a super remastering job, allowing this disk to hold its head up in the company of more modern recordings.
Ironically, the lion's share of the performance consists of works composed by men who, like Kapell, died much too young. That his work remains available is his parting gift to us for which we should be grateful. Show your appreciation and respect by sampling his legacy--I promise you won't regret it. Highest recommendation."

A Phenomenal and fortunate find.

Thracozaag | Long Island | 08/27/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The first and greatest of American pianists demonstrates his capabilites in a searing rendition of Pictures. The Copland sonata is down with a devastating conviction and drive. A must have for Kapell fans.(and that's with a 'K')"