Piatigorsky - Schumann Cello Concerto - 1934, Part 1

A request from a cellist. Gregor Piatigorsky (1903-1976) performing the Schumann Cello Concerto accompanied by the London Philharmonic Orch. conducted by John Barbirolli. Piatigorsky was one of the last of the great Romantic performers and was one of the most colorful personalities of his era. He was 6'6" tall. His autobiography is worth seeking out. Recorded for HMV in 1934 (issued in the US by Victor). The side brakes are rather crude. The music fades out and fades in between sides. This is a practice that the American companies had abolished in the 1920's and I am not aware of any other HMV recordings of this period doing this. Creates a big problem when trying to do a seamless CD reissue (this recording is available on a Naxos CD but I've not heard it). This is a Victor "Z" pressing which utilized a higher grade of shellac than usual. Only certain classical selections were issued on these special pressings in the mid 1930's and I have not been able to determine why.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Piatigorsky
• Barbirolli
• Schumann
• Victor
• HMV

[rheumer]

Just finished King's biography myself. Quite enlightening and inspiring! My former cello teacher, Nathaniel Rosen, was GP's protege and I am honored to have some of his stories and spirit passed down. This recording is so heavenly and I "grew up" with it. So many of the cellists I knew from conservatory days had not the slightest inkling about this icon who passed away during their own lifetimes. Thanks for posting.

[merrihew]

@rheumer If you don't yet have it, you need to get a 6 CD set of Piatigorsky which includes a full length DVD of films of him (alone worth the price of the set). Its on the WHRA label: WHRA-6032. Not available in the US. You'll have to order it from Grigoran.com in Canada. Also, check out "luisca2007" on YT. An extraordinary young cellist and Piatigorsky admirer.

[dennman6]

Wonderful performance of this. Is that a Numark turntable you're using? In 2001 I bought my latest turntable, a Numark TT-100 direct drive with glossy black finish. That is what I use for my 78rpm transfers. The sound goes thru a 10-band EQ then into a Sony RCD-W500 CD recorder. I too find the side breaks awkward, but haven't yet learned how to migrate my "master" CD-R into a computer to do "seamless" side joins. For listening purposes I like the slow cross-fades of these 78 sets

[merrihew]

The volume on 78's decreases towards the center so any attempt to eliminate the side break gaps will just emphasize that. Reissue engineers actually gradually increase the volume as a record plays.

[tammyma80]

In Piatigorsky's autobiography Cellist, he mentioned that he recorded this piece with the LPO under the conductor Sir Barbirolli and the praise "Bravo" , at the end of the piece, from the first oboist, Leon Goossens, was accidentally recorded. Is this vid that recording? Whether it is or not, this is really a gem...A beautiful gem =)

By the way, Cellist is really a great book!

[merrihew]

Yes, this is that recording but the "bravo" at the end is barely audible. Indeed the book is a great read.

[transformingArt]

Wonderful recording! Thanks for posting!

[78Maniac]

Je crois que c'est Piatigorsky qui a retrouvé le manuscrit de ce Concerto dont c'est ici le premier enregistrement historique. Même désenchantement que dans l'op.54 pour piano & orch. (indispensable: D.Lipati, H.v.Karajan et le Philharmonia en 1946 sur 78 t/mn Columbia). Son unique de Piatigorsky qui jouait sur des cordes en boyau, belle présence de l'orchestre peut-être un peu sec dans le Finale dont j'admire la cadence (dernière face). J'ai le même enregistrement sous label allemand Electrola.

[TheCourtwick]

He was the matinee idol of music, as was Jack Buchanan to the stage.

[dennman6]

By the way, I too play some of my more common 78s on two acoustic machines, a 1921 Victrola X with No.2 soundbox & a 1926 Brunswick Panatrope 106 Exponential Type(with "Orthophonic" style soundbox). What I am enjoying is a vintage musical experience on original equipment. I know how to use my current gear to get a more accurate rendition of the 78 records. Thanks, Merrihew, for your excellent work on these 78s & phonos

[munkybrain]

oh gosh that tone from the instant he enters. thanks very much for posting

[ipmoic]

This is grand cello playing--larger than life emotions from the very first note. I consider myself lucky to have met this giant, (both physically and musically) heard him rehearse, perform and tell his wonderful stories.

From 2:00--2:16 here is a fearless performer letting everything hang out. How I miss artists who don't worry about every detail so as to be perfect and perfectly boring. He's got this concerto by the tail and won't let go.

We miss you Grisha.