horowitz in ann arbor - no 6 - 9 oct 1977 - chopin polonaise in a flat major op 53

[palmerplantagenet]

After listening again, I am still astounded at the extent of sonority Horowitz achieves. He seemed intent on pushing limits to the uttermost in the heroic parts. Anyone else pressing that strongly would probably sound harsh and affected. Horowitz, with his uncanny composer-musician's instinct of multi-dimensionalized musical concepts, often resulted in his ability to lead listeners' concurrence with his intended outcome. Thank you, Kasyapa, for presenting additional facets of this great pianist.

[yeppyy]

This is unbelievable...

[Guitharafy]

even Chopin .. Would have jumped of his seat with joy if he had heard horowitz play IT!

[kasyapa]

Guitharafy - i often think about the great composers hearing horowitz interpreting their work. what would they have thought? i think he was quite sympathetic to everyone - he even understood beethoven.

[h1hacter]

Wow, a spectacular performance!

[kasyapa]

agreed. ann arbor saw some of his most monumental ascents.

[brtherjohn]

Wow! Certainly one of the best of VH's live performances of this polonaise!

[kasyapa]

agreed - and thank heavens for the sound. best of all worlds: from the audience, yet crystalline sound.

[palmerplantagenet]

This version is better than those VH had commercially released. Until hearing this (wrong notes do not matter), I thought I preferred Rubinstein - watching him proudly end his encores with the 'Heroic'. Although Richter wrote, "Where's the nobility?" concerning this piece played by VH, here Horowitz is exceptionally majestic. I realize there is a difference between 'noble' and 'majestic'. Horowitz interpretively went after what he wished. Hearing this - he was particularly successful.

[kasyapa]

he often wanted to get so many emotions in one piece and also as many exotic moods and sound-colors and technical spells of astonishment ... he really was worlds away from rubinstein. (whom i must confess has never moved me in the slightest. never.)

[palmerplantagenet]

Just a quicky - my 20 minute ago response was probably misleading, as I didn't mean to infer that I preferred Rubinstein over Horowitz, at all. It was really only the Ab Polonaise that I was comparing. AR played it so very well (live) that I had previously thought I liked best. It is still excellent, however doesn't compare with this version of Horowtiz's.

[kasyapa]

no inference taken. :)

[palmerplantagenet]

After reading Jan Holcman's 1961Saturday Night Review magazine article regarding Horowitz looking for some very talented young pupils, I wrote to VH who wrote back repeatedly. He asked lots of questions, like conducting an interview from afar. Finally he sent Olga Stroumiello across country to meet me. Obviously when Maestro Horowitz got it in his mind something he wanted to pursue, he certainly went after it no holds barred.

[kasyapa]

intriguing. what finally happened? did you have any more contact with him? so he wanted you, eh? :)

[rarescores]

BRAVVOOOOO!!!!!!!