horowitz in pasadena - live, 1982 - liszt ballade no2 - pt1

[uhartchristian]

yes the London concert wasn t that good compared to other live concerts. In fact there were 2 london concerts in a weeks distance. I did listen to both. the second one was much better than the first one as Horowitz was in better shape. I think he was ill at the first comeback concert. He hardly managed the scarlatti sonatas which he did play perfectly at the second concert.

[kasyapa]

did you have any experiences with him, or any noteworthy memories of his behavior, at these concerts?

[uhartchristian]

well at first concert; when the royal family entered the balcony at the right side all we stood up and applauded; then one minute an exciting silence where all waited standing; no noise at all , an incredible silence full of tension and suddenly horowitz came out on stage and there was an outcry from the public indescriptible; he sat down his veste streseman did not fit was too small the buttoms nearly did burst his face was swollen; he obviously was ill; he did play the british hymne

[uhartchristian]

the scarlatti sonates he did not go off from the right pedal which wasn t the case at the second concert; he obviously had problems with his ellbow but did manage the rachmaninoff sonate well

[uhartchristian]

Horowitz after the british national hymn did play six scarlatti sonats which he repeated at the second concert a week later; the television recordings were mixed from both concerts. So the better second version was taken and published.

I ll have to take a look to the programs which I still have somewhere. I also remeber his wife who did take care that nobody went behind the stage during the concert. To see the rachmaninoff sonata and polca life was great. schumann kinderszenen too much pedal .

[nosniborceda]

First note, you mean? It's an f sharp. But it's fine for that quality.

[kasyapa]

ya, first note is fine too. i'm not sure what the concern is.

[opportunityforgrowth]

Always interesting to hear Horowitz perform almost anything. No exception here.

[akkadian4]

better than the RCE Met Recording, by far.

[brtherjohn]

This was not that bad of a concert at all. Much better shape here than a few months later in London. In fact I rather though he brought some of the technical details better here than in the RCA Met recording he did - as good as that was. Like the sequence at the 4 minute mark. Splendid!

[ystapelle]

Recording quality so-so, and the 1st chord sounds funny -- piano tuned ?

[kasyapa]

very good recording quality for pirated, especially for that long ago. i'm not hearing a big problem in the first chord.