Vladimir de Pachmann (1848-1933): Brahms- Capriccio in C#min

[wistaphil]

This is great: the tempo relationship between the duple and triple sections (bar equals bar) is a contrast to the Kempff (eighth equals eighth) in this deP makes a distinction between expressive, improvisatory feeling and a structural feature...

[aardvaark069]

Yes it is a gripe which I think is legitimate with many of these very old recordings. That being said, I am a huge fan of Pachmann's playing. Harold Schoenbergs demolition job in 'the Great Pianists' I believe is largely responsible for Pachmann's poor reputation. What a trgedy for piano lovers who have believed it and not bothered to listen. I think what ishould have said is that I just don't think that this Brahms is very good performance.

[marcxopoco]

Harold Schonberg was poisonous and incompetent.

What a pompous pig.

[penacP]

@marcxopoco

His first name was Arnold :-) He was able to create very beautiful things among a lot of crappy ones ! ;-)

[marcxopoco]

Clueless @penacP doesn't know the difference between pathetic music 'critic' Harold Shonberg and composer Arnold Shonberg.

[penacP]

@marcxopoco If Harold exists, I don't know him… Sorry for the mistake…

[marcxopoco]

@penacP, you are lucky you don't know him. He poisoned music for a several decades.

[aardvaark069]

I never trust these very old recordings for dynamics. The player had to stay above a certain volume for the recording to 'take'. Thi severely limited the [layers freedom of expression. They must have hated the process and probably, in many cases played arbitrarily because thy wanted the money.

[d60944]

I am not sure whether this gripe applies equally to the also-rans and the great pianists. If you'd like an example of Pachmann clearly not allowing the demands of the recording to make him play louder, listen to his recording lof the Chopin Eb nocture, also posted! I am not sure that artists of such integrity and quality would have recorded at all if they felt they were compromising their art. Even the first decade of the century saw pianists often making several "takes" of a work - whyso.....?

[paulostroff99]

Superb! Bravo! TY.

[smithsherman]

Pachmann's conception of the phrase...in all it's elements...Heirarchy,articulat­ion,

timing,grouping,occupation versus space,surprise usually make his perfromances very interesting to hear...and this is no exception. He would have a hard time today,because people have an "idea" of the composer,and only want that idea objectively parrotted over...and...over.