Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1, Chopin, Liszt, Schumann, Albeniz

Albéniz, Isaac, Brahms, Johannes, Chopin, Fryderyk, Liszt, Franz

Katchen, Julius, Kempe, Rudolf

ICAC 5048

The American pianist Julius Katchen (19261969) was a child prodigy who at age 11 performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra under Ormandy. In 1946 Katchen toured Europe, settled in Paris in late 1947 and became a frequent performer on the European concert platform. His technique was gold plated and despite his early death at aged 43 from cancer, he had a large discography which still sells today. In December 1968 he famously participated in the two-day spectacular known as the Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus, playing the first movement of Mozarts Sonata K545 and Fallas Ritual Fire Dance from El amor brujo. Katchen made a major study of Brahms during his career and this 1967 live broadcast of Brahms Piano Concerto No.1, with the distinguished German conductor Rudolf Kempe, reflects his deep understanding of this composer. This recording gives the collector the rare opportunity of hearing Katchen live in comparison to his studio account made much earlier in 1959. The fill-ups consist of familiar Katchen composers, Chopin and Liszt but also two new additions to his discography, Schumann's Prophet Bird Op.82, No.7 and Albénizs Triana. Completing this CD is a rare interview with John Amis where Katchen discusses his early life including his thoughts on Mozart and Brahms interpretation. These recordings have never been released before and have been remastered using ICAs Ambient Mastering process which recreates the atmosphere of the concert hall.

CD x 1

ICA Classics

21.10.11

5060244550483