The Classical Music Guide Forums

Donald Isler

Wishing a good Pesach to all who celebrate it, and a good Easter to everyone else!

Donald Isler

I will be at a high school reunion in NY on Saturday, the 8th, so am not available then. Otherwise, I may be available and interested.

Donald Isler

Andre Watts In Concert and Conversation Terrance McKnight, Host Merkin Hall, New York City April 6th, 2019 Scarlatti: Two Sonatas Haydn: Sonata in C Major, Hob. XVI/48 Liszt: En Rêve Liszt: Concert Etude No. 3 "Un Sospiro" Chopin: Nocturne in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 1 Chopin: Etude in C-Sharp Min...

Donald Isler

Beth Levin and Reed Tetzloff, Pianists The Greenwich Arts Center Greenwich, Connecticut March 16th, 2019 Handel: Keyboard Suite in D Minor, HWV 428 Beethoven: Sonata in B-Flat Major, Op. 106 ("Hammerklavier") iii: Adagio sostenuto Ms. Levin Schubert: Fantasy in F Minor for Piano Four Hands, D. 940 M...

Donald Isler

Below is a CMG article I wrote in 2008 about a lecture given at the weekly Senior Men's Club meeting of the Jewish Community Center in Tarrytown, to which my father belonged. The lecture was given by Dr. Gunter Lorenz, a most likeable and admirable man who was then 98, and recently died at the age o...

Donald Isler

Ursula Oppens 75th Birthday Concert and Tribute Ursula Oppens, piano with the Cassatt String Quartet (Muneko Otani and Jennifer Leshnower, violins, Ah Ling Neu, viola and Elizabeth Anderson, cello) Terrance McKnight, Host Merkin Hall, New York City February 2nd 2019 Three Works for Solo Piano Writte...

Donald Isler

I received yesterday from his sister, Jeanne Barner, the very sad news that our friend, John Brosseau, known here as JBuck919, passed away on January 5th. I had not known Jeanne before, but appreciated her making the effort to let me know. And she asked me to inform his friends at CMG. Apparently he...

Donald Isler

I haven't heard many recordings of Op. 126 that I like. Heard the kovacevich recording recently and thought it wasn't bad but found the slow pieces lightweight. My favorite recordings of these pieces are Schnabel's and mine.

Donald Isler

In all (lack of) modesty I'd say that I have produced 3 essential Beethoven recordings. Though (not surprisingly) they're all of the same person (as he was never a big name and has been largely forgotten), and he's not on this list.

Donald Isler

Very sorry to learn about Karl’s illness. I will contribute, too.

Donald Isler

A very fine pianist, indeed! Here's a 2010 CMG review I wrote of a recital he gave at the IKIF: Joaquín Achúcarro Recital - IKIF Joaquín Achúcarro's recital was one of the events I was told not to miss, especially as I had not heard him before. Everyone spoke of him with great respect. And, indeed, ...

Donald Isler

(Since Hungerford and Beethoven were mentioned on this thread) If anyone is interested in the new Hungerford DVD they are supposed to arrive today. Anyone is welcome to send me an email with your name and address if you'd like to receive a flyer. Thanks for any interest.

Donald Isler

Well, thank you, John!

Donald Isler

Of course, no one who knows me will be surprised that my favorite recording of these works is the one by Bruce Hungerford, which is now on Youtube: https://youtu.be/Sd5nzUyNw0w And, if anyone is interested, I am about to release the only video of Hungerford's playing, a DVD of the Beethoven Fourth P...

Donald Isler

As today would be the 100th birthday of our remarkable friend, Mary Wilbur, I'm once again posting the review I wrote some years ago of her autobiography. Bits and Pieces of My Life A Memoir by Mary Wilbur Quince Press, 2011 There are stories all around us. As someone whose parents have written exte...

Donald Isler

Thank you, gentlemen, for your kind comments!

Donald Isler

(This article appeared on Isler's Insights.) The US pianist and former Curtis director, gives a delightful interview on Facebook to his colleague, Donald Isler: Interview With Gary Graffman “I got many reviews from the New York Times; good ones, bad ones, mostly in-between ones” said Gary Graffman, ...

Donald Isler

Wishing a good New Year to everyone observing it, as it begins Sunday evening.

Donald Isler

You are correct that he never performed the whole cycle of the sonatas. He had a group of sonatas which he'd played often, starting when he was much younger, and he learned the rest so he could make the recordings. It might have been different if he'd had a "normal" career, and regular concerts, but...

Donald Isler

Isler’s Insights The Hungerford Recording Sessions Between 1967 and 1976 Bruce Hungerford recorded one LP each of music by Schubert, Chopin and Brahms, and was working his way through the complete 32 sonatas of Beethoven for Vanguard Records. That he insisted on learning each work seven times before...

Donald Isler

Always glad to see interest in Hungerford! In a 1969 High Fidelity article Harris Goldsmith, having listened to the first records of several pianists who were preparing to record all of the Beethoven sonatas for the 1970 bicentennial of Beethoven's birth, said that he wouldn't be surprised if the Hu...

Donald Isler

Sorry I cannot join you this time. Hope you enjoy it as much as our last get together there!

Donald Isler

1) I never before heard the story of Schumann injuring himself while practicing that sonata. Interesting! 2) Yes, recording the Hummel sonatas was one of Constance Keene's last major projects, and these recordings were generally very well received. I think Harold Schonberg said something like "One s...

Donald Isler

The Classical Music Guide Aleksandr Bolotin, Piano 28th Summit Music Festival Purchase, New York July 30th, 2018 Chopin: Four Mazurkas, Op. 30 Chopin: Fantasy in F Minor, Op. 49 Chopin: 24 Preludes, Op. 28 Aleksandr Bolotin is an extraordinary 17 year old Russian pianist who has already performed al...

Donald Isler

The Classical Music Guide Pavel Nersessian, Piano 28th Summit Music Festival Purchase, New York July 29th, 2018 Bizet: Chants du Rhin (Songs of the Rhine) Schubert: Three Piano Pieces, D. 946 Schumann: Kinderszenen, Op. 15 Chopin: Sonata No. 3 in B Minor, Op. 58 Pavel Nersessian is now a professor a...

Donald Isler

Reed Tetzloff - IKIF 20th International Keyboard Institute and Festival at Hunter College July 27th, 2018 Debussy: La Cathédral Engloutie from Preludes, Book I Franck: Prélude, Choral, et Fugue, FWV 21 Ives: Piano Sonata No. 2, "Concord, Mass., 1840-1860" 1) "Emerson" (after Ralph Waldo Emerson) 2) ...

Donald Isler

The Classical Music Guide Michael Davidman, Piano 28th Summit Music Festival Purchase, New York July 26th, 2018 Haydn: Sonata in C Minor, Hob. XVI:20 Rachmaninoff: Sonata No. 2 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 36 Chopin: Scherzo No. 2 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 31 Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody On a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43...

Donald Isler

Geoffrey Burleson - IKIF 20th International Keyboard Institute and Festival at Hunter College July 25th, 2018 Schubert: Sonata in A Minor, D. 845 Saint-Saens: Mazurka No. 3 in B Minor, Op. 66 Saint-Saens: Valse nonchalante, Op. 110 Saint-Saens: Etude en Forme de Valse, Op. 52, No. 6 Tania Leon: Ritu...

Donald Isler

Massimiliano Ferrati - IKIF 20th International Keyboard Institute and Festival at Hunter College July 24th, 2018 By now I know that when I hear a recital by Massimiliano Ferrati (whom I interviewed the other day) it will be a happy experience, and that even when his ideas about the music differ from...

Donald Isler

Alon Goldstein and the Fine Arts Quartet (Ralph Evans and Efim Boico, Violins, Gil Sharon, Viola, Niklas Schmidt, Cello) with Andrew Sommer, Bass - IKIF 20th International Keyboard Institute and Festival at Hunter College July 19th, 2018 Mozart: String Quartet in C Major, K 465 - "Dissonant" Mozart:...

Donald Isler

Tomoki Sakata - IKIF 20th International Keyboard Institute and Festival at Hunter College July 18th, 2018 Beethoven: Sonata No. 16 in G Major, Op. 31, No. 1 Liszt: Spanish Rhapsody, S. 254/ R. 90 Takemitsu: Les yeux clos - in memory of Shuzo Takiguchi (1979) Takemitsu: Rain Tree Sketch II - In Memor...

Donald Isler

These are very fine works, indeed. (My recording of the first one is on Youtube.)

Donald Isler

Didn't know how to post photos of the meetup here so posted them on Facebook. Very sorry you couldn't make it, John B! Hope your foot is better!

Donald Isler

Jerome Rose - IKIF 20th International Keyboard Institute and Festival at Hunter College July 15th, 2018 Beethoven: Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109 Schumann: Humoreske in B-Flat Major, Op. 20 Harmonies poétiques et religieuses Bénédiction de Dieu dans la solitude Funérailles Cantique d'amour Yes, i...

Donald Isler

Just remembered our old friend would be 75 today.

Donald Isler

Beth Levin, Pianist Bargemusic July 13th, 2018 Handel: Suite No. 4 in D Minor, HWV 428 Beethoven: Sonata No. 29 in B-Flat Major, Op. 106 - "Hammerklavier" Beth Levin was originally a child prodigy who debuted with the Philadelphia Orchestra at the age of twelve. Her teachers included Rudolph Serkin,...

Donald Isler

Thank you, JBuck! Looking forward to seeing everyone next week!

Donald Isler

Just want to be sure if we're on for the meetup next Wednesday, the 18th, and confirmation of where it will take place?

Thanks!

Donald Isler

And here it is in Yiddish!

https://youtu.be/JkxCkt-HsHw

Donald Isler

I'm planning to come.

Donald Isler

Wishing our host a Happy Birthday, and many more!

Donald Isler

It would be nice to have another meetup in New York if that can be scheduled. I will be away the latter half of June, and I think the Mottiers are in Europe for the next half year or so. Will be interested to hear if it works out.

Donald Isler

If it's of interest to anyone here is the first movement of Op. 13 from the live 1965 Hungerford all-Beethoven recital I released on KASP Records.

https://youtu.be/OK-3aZ4odls

Donald Isler

I heard Leinsdorf a few times when I was young, and thought he was very good. Once we went backstage after the concert and Dad told him they came to America together on the same ship in 1938 (the Volendam) but I don't think Leinsdorf was very interested in that. Leinsdorf probably wasn't the favorit...

Donald Isler

This opera house is also the place where Bruce Hungerford's 1965 all-Beethoven recital, which I released on KASP Records, was recorded.

Donald Isler

Thanks for mentioning Adrian Aeschbacher, and the KASP releases of his playing, Lance. Of course I agree that he was a terrific Schubert and Schumann pianist. I'd be delighted if one of the companies that recorded him, like DGG, would release more of his playing but I haven't heard any indication th...

Donald Isler

Joe knows this business inside out. He's been a friend for 40 years and I've done all my recording projects for over 30 years at his studio. He knows repertoire, editing, pianos, and he can read a score (which, believe it or not, not all recording engineers can). He's just renamed his studio after h...

Donald Isler

Thank you, MaestroB!

Donald Isler

Thank you, Lance and Belle.

Donald Isler

I've been enjoying reading everyone's comments about Jorge Bolet so decided to post here an article I wrote awhile ago about my own reevaluation of his playing, and importance. Isler's Insights Some Thoughts On Jorge Bolet, and the Superficiality of the Visual Aspect of Concerts When I was a young a...

Search found 3147 matches