Vladimir Feltsman, 1987 and 2014

[Rach3]

(A) Live , Nov.11, 1987,Carnegie Hall , the SONY Classics cd I believe :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y48xWBk ... 4XTyJJx4ce ( autoplay, but with irritating ads )

Schubert, Piano Sonata in A major, Op.120, D.664
Messiaen : Vingt Regards sur L’enfant Jesus, Nos. 11,13,16
Pause
Schumann : Symphonic Etudes, Op.13 ( with 4 posthumous Variations )

Encores :

Rachmaninoff : Prelude, op.32,# 12
Beethoven: : 6 Variations on an Original Theme, Op.76

(B) Live, SUNY at New Paltz,NY, Summer, 2014:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtDF_4tDJVo&t=3s

Schumann : Kinderscenen Op.15, Faschingsschwank aus Wien Op.26, Fantasy Op.17

While big, sweeping, inflected, interesting playing, there seems an edge of severity that does not always fit all the music ideally ?

[Lance]

Years ago, I had the pleasure of preparing Vladimir Feltsman's Steinway concert grand for two performances of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat Minor. It goes without saying that his performance was outstanding. I had the opportunity to go to dinner with him and other guests where the mood was sober, to say the least. He was obviously not a happy man and one can understand why when one reads an article that appeared in 1987. Being a Russian Jew, he was considered a nonperson.[See this link: https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/30/arts ... erson.html]. In the intervening years, it is generally acknowledged that Feltsman has mellowed considerably. Married, teaching, and performing, the pianist has an extensive discography that has appeared on a number of labels, most recently appearling on the Nimbus Alliance label. I have collected Feltsman's recordings voraciously. For me, Vladimir Feltsman gets a total thumbs up for his brilliant pianism, deep insight to what he plays, and never-faltering technique.

[maestrob]

Lance, thanks for your observations and for posting that link. I have the Columbia CDs of Feltsman's Carnegie Hall debut (plus many others) and consider him a very fine artist as you do. He's one of my favorite Bach players. What a great story you have there about your dinner with him. What a privilege!

[Len_Z]

I must admit that I wasn't initially a fan, but eventually Feltsman won me over. I think his sublime Brahms is a major event and probably the best piano recording of the year. Any other candidates anybody?

https://www.amazon.com/Brahms-Works-Pia ... dpSrc=srch

[Rach3]

I think his sublime Brahms is a major event and probably the best piano recording of the year.

Thanks for the suggestion. I love all Brahms' piano music.The Brahms set you mention is here, just starting to listen, in small doses:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4xvQ3Y ... aHcudX80SA

[Len_Z]

The Brahms set you mention is here, just starting to listen, in small doses:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4xvQ3Y ... aHcudX80SA

Would love to hear what you think of it.