horowitz (1950) plays bach-busoni toccata in cmaj - mvt 1

[gringewilp]

This is SO impressive. He practically turns the piano into an organ! I've had the 65 performance since it first came out; this is so utterly different, and another example of the Master's spontaneity, even from one day to the next, as has been often noted. There is no-one even on the horizon, who we can begin to hope will match his originality.

[brianbernsteintv]

okay, so my jaw is on the floor right now...

[kempff95]

the best recording .kissin elso plays this perfect..........

[pupulique]

@kempff95 what this recording has to do with Kissin? strange comment.

[manuelkatarino]

The return of Vladmir (at old age) at the Carnegie Hall Concert, was impressive and full of suprises. This toccata was played by him like no one...a superior performance!

[yukily07]

Horowitz the splendid! More than the piece itself...

[francescaemc2]

Thank you very much for posting.

[cattleman6420012000]

I love these early recordings of horowitz.

[brtherjohn]

The Masterworks archives also has the complete 65 Return Concert's rehearsals and soundchecks which contain much of what was in the recital - but with more assured technical playing. Sony COULD have released some of that as bonus material to the reissue of that concert rather than the familiar '63 studio recording of Kindersczenen. I wrote to Thomas Frost asking him to release more from the CBS vaults but I still haven't heard back from him. Sony/BMG is still sitting on a gold mine...

[pianovideo]

a gold mine indeed. I have my credit card out waiting for the COMPLETE Horowitz to come out on CD.

[yamahabro]

This interpretation by Horowitz of Bach simply whets my appetite for more! I agree -- I would like to see a comprehensive CD set that gives listeners a full picture of Horowitz's recording career. I'll snatch it up as soon as the record executives announce a release date!

[kasyapa]

makes me wonder if that's how he wanted to play them in '50. he's on record that the notes in '65 were wrong, and at least those he didn't correct when he had the chance.

[volodya2]

is is funny that he wrong the initials note here and in 1965 XD

lol

[schlaget]

Sweet and perfect

[kasyapa]

what do you think of the 1965 version? i'd call that sweeter yet.

[kasyapa]

i'm delighted you like it - and that we have multiple horowitz recordings to compare. personally i prefer the '65 for its spaciousness and tone-coloring (beneftiting i'm sure from hugely improved sonic technology and stereo), but this is a totally different take - all a function of that huge horowitz creativity.

[123mortimer]

You're right. To me, this recording is all about infinite pianistic and creative power. It totally transcends the instrument. It sounds like he's eating the piano alive. Of course, if he weren't as analytically and creatively brilliant as he is pianistically, we wouldn't care so much. But he is, and here it all comes together. A titanic recording! And a very different thrill from 1965.

[kasyapa]

beautifully (re)viewed. i like your shooting right to the creative heart. have you ever heard the nyiregyhazi liszt legende no 2?

[mkaykov]

greatest recording of this piece. Blows the 1965 recording away.