Little Musical Treasures
Robert Manari | San Francisco, CA United States | 05/23/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Lory Wallfisch was born and educated in Romania. She received her musical training at what was then known as the Royal Conservatory of Music in Bucharest, where she studied piano with the renowned teacher Florica Muzicescu (teacher of Dinu Lipatti, Mindru Katz and Radu Lupu, amongst many noted pianists). In 1944 she married Ernst Wallfisch, and from then on, her career was linked to that of her husband and artistic partner for the next 35 years. Ernest Wallfisch was born in 1920, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Early in his childhood, the family moved to Romania, where he too enjoyed musical training of the highest order attending the same Royal Conservatory of Music.
Yehudi Menuhin heard the Wallfisch Duo perform in Bucharest in 1946 and promptly helped them immigrate to the United States where they became US citizens in 1953. Soon their internationally acclaimed reputation was established, and they continued to perform successfully throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, North Africa and Israel until 1979 when Ernst died suddenly of a heart attack.
The composers presented on this CD are not well known outside their native Romania, with three notable exceptions: the obvious one, George Enescu who is slowly but surely gaining recognition as one of the most gifted musicians of the 20th Century, Constantin Silvestri (remembered more as a very fine conductor), and of course Dinu Lipatti, who is known more as one of the greatest pianists of his generation. This lack of awareness towards the composers is unfortunate, since I find the compositions presented here to be all charming, delightful and immensely enjoyable little musical treasures. Additionally, they are all recorded in clear and spacious sound.
Finaly, congratulations to EBS label (part of Bayer Music Group) for such a wonderful release: the quality of their catalogue never ceases to impress me. I give this release, without any hesitation, five well deserved stars. It is an addition that would only enhance any existing classical music collection."
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1
