@lisztnut do rhythmical misreadings make a difference anyway? Since when is Horowitz been known for playing exactly as the score says. I'm more than positive that he probably disregarded the correct rhythm to make an effect-something that Horowitz is the best at doing.
Great playing, but if you sit and listen with the score you will find that Horowitz made numerous "misreadings," especially regarding rhythms. I don't think these were memory slips as much as him being careless to learn it right in the first place. Check out No. 4, m. 5 (the last two quarters are played as eighth notes), m. 7 (he makes up some pattern that's not on the page, by adding several repetitions of the chords), m. 9 (ditto to above). Is it possible Barber "revised" it? Doubtful..
As great as Horowitz was (he's one of my all time idols), I don't think any modern piano teacher would let their student get away with such carelessness regarding learning correct rhythms or notes. Why should we let a "master" pianist do the same thing? If Horowitz had played the score for Barber beforehand, it's highly doubtful Barber would have had the courage to 'correct' these misreadings, given the stature of Horowitz at the time. It's still masterful playing, no question about it...
to my ears i think he either placed accents on the upbeats or either copied the pattern that's at the end of the piece and modified it to fit with the next page
Fantastic playing, but I feel he moves a little too quickly on the second movement. Score says 60BPM, and I know that's approximate, but he goes about 72 and with little rubato. Doesn't fully get the bluesy feel across, I feel. Still, I only hope I can some day even approach his playing on these.
Oh, honey, you and me both! i'm not worthy even so much as to crack the spine of this book of music! It's so delightful that he "suffers" a resurgence--between Joplin, Gershwin and Barber, American 20th Century music is complete.
thanks for posting this !!! was looking for it since a long time, ill still buy the cd :) . also Horowitz is my prefered pianist for free expression !
Lol...I searched for this set in order to find its length, as I will plan to play it in a year. Then, I was like, "Horowitz played this?!" After listening to it, I have no doubt that I should plan much, MUCH more time than 8:39! I do agree, though, that he seemed to have 'hijacked' this set...though in a rather lovable way!
I agree that it is marvelous playing. Apparently we both mean different things by 'hijacking'. Actually, I don't much like the 2nd, the 'blues'. It is much too fast. But then, how in the world could one perform it at the written speed of 60bpm in Carnegie hall? Still, the 4th 'banjo' one is now one of my favorite solo piano recordings. Thanks for uploading this! And for the 13' info...
Thank you for posting this, I had never heard the pieces before, and I doubt if I will be hearing a better performance.
It again shows how versatile Horowitz was in the 40's: playing Romantic concerti with Toscanini, but also chamber music as well as Scarlatti, the Viennese classics, massive transcriptions, French repertoire but also contemporary Russian and American composers.
You know, in a way I tend to share Tim Page's mixed views on Horowitz. I love immensely how he could turn little known miniatures into gleaming gems, but sometimes I feel he was simply hijacking a piece, especially in concert, and particularly in well known and mainstream repertoire. The single notable exception is Schumann. To my ears, Horowitz live-the-moment approach to Schumann's music is almost always convincing and often revelatory.
Why didn't he play the 3rd? It's the hardest movement according to my son, who plays this piece. He changed this quite a bit!
dkopitz 3 months ago
@dkopitz barber hadn't composed it at the time (wiki)
darktowersl 3 months ago
Well, I love Barber and Horowitz. Great post! Thanks.
GeoJDr 3 months ago
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you can't ask for better!
kjftrio 7 months ago
a very original interpretation, thank you
wwwonderful 7 months ago
i wouldve loved to hear him play the 3rd one
dfairbanks06 11 months ago
@lisztnut do rhythmical misreadings make a difference anyway? Since when is Horowitz been known for playing exactly as the score says. I'm more than positive that he probably disregarded the correct rhythm to make an effect-something that Horowitz is the best at doing.
CelloBoy13913 2 years ago
I love the ending!!
drgabrielsoileau 2 years ago
Great playing, but if you sit and listen with the score you will find that Horowitz made numerous "misreadings," especially regarding rhythms. I don't think these were memory slips as much as him being careless to learn it right in the first place. Check out No. 4, m. 5 (the last two quarters are played as eighth notes), m. 7 (he makes up some pattern that's not on the page, by adding several repetitions of the chords), m. 9 (ditto to above). Is it possible Barber "revised" it? Doubtful..
lisztnut 2 years ago
As great as Horowitz was (he's one of my all time idols), I don't think any modern piano teacher would let their student get away with such carelessness regarding learning correct rhythms or notes. Why should we let a "master" pianist do the same thing? If Horowitz had played the score for Barber beforehand, it's highly doubtful Barber would have had the courage to 'correct' these misreadings, given the stature of Horowitz at the time. It's still masterful playing, no question about it...
lisztnut 2 years ago
Considering barber had no stature at all
TheMadman2006 2 years ago
@lisztnut i see what you mean
but he didn't make it up
to my ears i think he either placed accents on the upbeats or either copied the pattern that's at the end of the piece and modified it to fit with the next page
EpicSplosives 1 year ago
Beautiful!
drgabrielsoileau 2 years ago
Fantastic playing, but I feel he moves a little too quickly on the second movement. Score says 60BPM, and I know that's approximate, but he goes about 72 and with little rubato. Doesn't fully get the bluesy feel across, I feel. Still, I only hope I can some day even approach his playing on these.
theturbolemming 2 years ago
Israela Margalits' performance posted by entre88teclas is also brilliant. (Really, I prefer that one - not to knock Horowitz at all).
sgut1947 2 years ago
I'm trying to learn this now, but now I don't think I'm worthy of even looking at the music @_@ this is amazing :D
unusualcatperson 2 years ago 3
Oh, honey, you and me both! i'm not worthy even so much as to crack the spine of this book of music! It's so delightful that he "suffers" a resurgence--between Joplin, Gershwin and Barber, American 20th Century music is complete.
marginallymental 2 years ago
thanks for posting this !!! was looking for it since a long time, ill still buy the cd :) . also Horowitz is my prefered pianist for free expression !
gabdeusex 2 years ago
Lol...and I forgot about the 3rd movement! That one is fairly slow...darn...I may not be playing much else! (30min recital)
photoeditingchicken 3 years ago
Lol...I searched for this set in order to find its length, as I will plan to play it in a year. Then, I was like, "Horowitz played this?!" After listening to it, I have no doubt that I should plan much, MUCH more time than 8:39! I do agree, though, that he seemed to have 'hijacked' this set...though in a rather lovable way!
photoeditingchicken 3 years ago
I don't see any hijacking in this rendition. On the contrary, it is marvelous playing. The complete set should be around 13'.
thetunr 3 years ago
I agree that it is marvelous playing. Apparently we both mean different things by 'hijacking'. Actually, I don't much like the 2nd, the 'blues'. It is much too fast. But then, how in the world could one perform it at the written speed of 60bpm in Carnegie hall? Still, the 4th 'banjo' one is now one of my favorite solo piano recordings. Thanks for uploading this! And for the 13' info...
photoeditingchicken 3 years ago
@photoeditingchicken also, he's only playing three of the four movements
kylegreerrocks 1 year ago
Unbelievable, Horowitz playing the "Blues"! (no. 2)...and he's turning them into a sonic miracle.
pianopera 3 years ago 4
Indeed, but I treasure the fourth piece even more. How succesful he is in conveying spatial dimension to that banjo duel.
thetunr 3 years ago
Yes, that one is great fun!
Thank you for posting this, I had never heard the pieces before, and I doubt if I will be hearing a better performance.
It again shows how versatile Horowitz was in the 40's: playing Romantic concerti with Toscanini, but also chamber music as well as Scarlatti, the Viennese classics, massive transcriptions, French repertoire but also contemporary Russian and American composers.
pianopera 3 years ago 2
You know, in a way I tend to share Tim Page's mixed views on Horowitz. I love immensely how he could turn little known miniatures into gleaming gems, but sometimes I feel he was simply hijacking a piece, especially in concert, and particularly in well known and mainstream repertoire. The single notable exception is Schumann. To my ears, Horowitz live-the-moment approach to Schumann's music is almost always convincing and often revelatory.
thetunr 3 years ago