Claudio Arrau - Virtuoso Philosopher of the Piano
Claudio Arrau was born on 6th February 1903. Such was his prodigious talent that he gave his first public recital in Santiago at the age of five.
When he was nine he was sent, with support of the Chilean Government, to study in Berlin where he was a pupil of Martin Krause at Stern’s Conservatory for six years, he never went to another teacher.
He received many awards during his student days such that his name was already in circulation when he gave extensive tours in Germany and Scandinavia following his first recital in Berlin in 1914. He embarked on a tour of Europe after WW1. Conductors of the highest calibre - Nikisch, Mengelberg and Furtwangler amongst them - accompanied him.
After a successful return visit to his homeland in 1921 he visited Londonthe following year where he appeared in a concert with Dame Nellie Melba and Bronislaw Huberman, the violinist who, at the age of 14, had won Brahms admiration for his performance of his concerto. In 1923 he toured the USA.
He joined the staff of Stern’s Conservatory in 1924 and taught there until 1940. In Berlin he played the complete works of Bach over 12 concerts but decided that the piano was not the instrument for these works and never played them in public again. Leaving Berlin in 1940 he returned to Chile, where in its capital, Santiago, he founded a piano school. It was whilst on a highly successful tour of the USA during the following year that he decided to settle his family in New York.
Arrau’s reputation is built on his special affinity for the music of Brahms, Schumann, Liszt, Chopin and, above all, Beethoven whose complete sonatas he played in many major cities. His performances had all the virtuoso technique required but it was accomplished without the least ostentation; for him the music was what should remain in the audience’s ear and should not be disturbed by the flamboyance of the pianist in the audience’s eye.
Twenty years have passed since he departed but these recordings will bring back happy memories for all those lucky enough ever to have attended his concerts. ( EMI )
Tracklist
CD 1
Ludwig van Beethoven 1770-1827
Piano Concerto No. 1 in C, Op.15
[ 1] I. Allegro con brio 16.24
[ 2] II. Largo 10.55
[ 3] III. Rondo: Allegro scherzando 9.25
Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat, Op.19
[ 4] I. Allegro con brio 14.04
[ 5] II. Adagio 9.02
[ 6] III. Rondo: Molto allegro 6.33
Philharmonia Orchestra
conducted by Alceo Galliera
Recorded: 1 - 3.V. and 7.X.1958, No. 1, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: Walter Legge
Balance engineer: Harold Davidson & Francis Dillnutt
Recordings first issued in 1959 & *1960 by EMI Records Ltd. STEREO/ADD
32 Variations in C minor, WoO.80 12.23
[ 7]
Recorded: 13.IV.1960, No. 3, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: Walter Jellinek
Balance engineer: Harold Davidson
(P) 1961 EMI Records Ltd. STEREO/ADD
This compilation and digital remastering (P) 1991 by EMI Records Ltd.
CD 2
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op.37
[ 1] I. Allegro con brio 16.53
[ 2] II. Largo 10.58
[ 3] III. Rondo: Allegro - Presto 9.24
Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat, Op.73 "Emperor"
[ 4] I. Allegro 20.29
[ 5] II. Adagio un poco mosso 7.47
[ 6] III. Rondo: Allegro - Piu allegro 10.42
Philharmonia Orchestra
conducted by Alceo Galliera
Recorded: 19 - 22.VI.1958, No. 1, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: Walter Legge
Balance engineer: Douglas Larter
Recordings first issued in 1959 by EMI Records Ltd. STEREO/ADD
This compilation and digital remastering (P) 1991 by EMI Records Ltd.
CD 3
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 4 in G, Op.58
[ 1] I. Allegro moderato 19.14
[ 2] II. Andante con moto - 5.38
[ 3] III. Rondo: Vivace - Presto 10.06
Philharmonia Orchestra
conducted by Alceo Galliera
Recorded: 30 & 31.V.1955, No. 1, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: Walter Jellinek
Balance engineer: Neville Boyling
Recording first issued in 1956 by EMI Records Ltd. MONO/ADD
Digital remastering (P) 1991 by EMI Records Ltd.
Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major, Op. 53 "Waldstein"
[ 4] I. Allegro con brio 12.11
[ 5] II. Introduzione: Adagio molto - 4.17
[ 6] Rondo: Allegretto moderato - Prestissimo 10.39
Recorded: 1 & 22.XII.1956 and 19.V.1957, No. 3, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: William Mann and Alan Melville
Balance engineer: Neville Boyling
Recording first issued in 1958 by EMI Records Ltd. MONO/ADD
Digital remastering (P) 1991 by EMI Records Ltd.
Piano Sonata No. 26 in E flat major, Op. 81a "Les Adieux"
[ 7] I. Adagio - Allegro (Les Adieux) 6.59
[ 8] II. Andante espressivo (L’Absence) 3.50
[ 9] III. Vivacissimamente (Le Retour) 6.04
Recorded: 4.IV.1958, No. 3, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: Walter Jellinek
Balance engineer: Neville Boyling
Recording first issued in 1959 by EMI Records Ltd. MONO/ADD
Digital remastering (P) 1991 by EMI Records Ltd.
This compilation (P) 2011 by EMI Records Ltd. c EMI Records Ltd. 2011
CD 4
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57 "Appassionata"
[ 1] I. Allegro assai 10.26
[ 2] II. Andante con moto 7.05
[ 3] III. Allegro ma non troppo - Presto 8.12
Recorded: 11 & 12.IV.1960, No. 3, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: Walter Legge & Walter Jellinek
Balance engineer: Harold Davidson
(P) 1961 EMI Records Ltd. STEREO/ADD
Digital remastering (P) 1991 by EMI Records Ltd.
Piano Sonata No. 22 in F major, Op. 54
[ 4] I. In tempo d’un Menuetto 5.59
[ 5] II. Allegretto 6.15
Recorded: 13 & 14.IV.1960, No. 3, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: Walter Jellinek
Balance engineer: Harold Davidson
(P) 1961 EMI Records Ltd. STEREO/ADD
Digital remastering (P) 1991 by EMI Records Ltd.
Piano Sonata No. 7 in D, Op. 10 No. 3
[ 6] I. Presto c6.37
[ 7] II. Largo e mesto c10.12
[ 8] III. Menuetto: Allegro c2.50
[ 9] IV. Rondo: Allegro c3.55
Recorded: 6.X.1958 & 15.X.1959, No. 3, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: Walter Legge
Balance engineer: Douglas Larter and Neville Boyling
Recording first issued in 1960 by EMI Records Ltd. STEREO/ADD
Digital remastering (P) 2011 by EMI Records Ltd.
Piano Sonata No. 24 in F sharp, Op. 78
[10] I. Adagio cantabile - Allegro ma non troppo c7.20
[11] II. Allegro vivace c3.00
Recorded: 8.IV.1958, No. 3, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: Walter Legge
Balance engineer: Neville Boyling
Recording first issued in 1959 by EMI Records Ltd. MONO/ADD
Digital remastering (P) 2011 by EMI Records Ltd.
This compilation (P) 2011 by EMI Records Ltd. c EMI Records Ltd. 2011
CD 5
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major, Op. 101
[ 1] I. Allegretto ma non troppo 4.20
[ 2] II. Vivace alla Marcia 5.06
[ 3] III. Adagio ma non troppo, con affetto - 2.40
[ 4] Allegro 8.07
Recorded: 30.XI & 1.XII.1956, No. 3, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: Walter Legge
Balance engineer: Neville Boyling
Recording first issued in 1958 by EMI Records Ltd. MONO/ADD
Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110
[ 5] I. Moderato cantabile molto espressivo 7.15
[ 6] II. Allegro molto 2.16
[ 7] III. Adagio ma non troppo - 3.53
[ 8] Fuga: Allegro ma non troppo 7.14
Recorded: 18.V.1957, No. 3, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: Walter Legge & Alan Melville
Balance engineer: Neville Boyling
Recording first issued in 1958 by EMI Records Ltd. MONO/ADD
Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111
[ 9] I. Maestoso - Allegro con brio ed appassionato 9.01
[10] II. Arietta: Adagio molto semplice e cantabile 19.53
Recorded: 21 - 23.V.1957, No. 3, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: Walter Legge & William Mann
Balance engineer: Neville Boyling & Edward Huntley
Recording first issued in 1958 by EMI Records Ltd. MONO/ADD
This compilation and digital remastering (P) 1991 by EMI Records Ltd.
CD 6
Johannes Brahms 1833-1897
Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op.15
[ 1] I. Maestoso GB-AYC-88-03494 23.28
[ 2] II. Adagio GB-AYC-88-03495 15.06
[ 3] III. Rondo: Allegro non troppo GB-AYC-88-03496 12.54
Philharmonia Orchestra
conducted by Carlo Maria Giulini
Recorded: 21 - 23.IV.1960, No. 1, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: Walter Legge
Balance engineer: Harold Davidson
(P) 1961 EMI Records Ltd. STEREO/ADD
Digital remastering (P) 1988 by EMI Records Ltd.
CD 7
Carl Maria von Weber 1786-1826
Konzertstuck in F minor, Op. 79
[ 1] Larghetto affettuoso - 6.18
[ 2] Allegro passionato - Adagio - 5.06
[ 3] Tempo di marcia - Piu mosso - 2.25
[ 4] Presto giojoso 4.31
Philharmonia Orchestra
conducted by Alceo Galliera
Recorded: 19.IV.1960, No. 1, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: Walter Legge
Balance engineer: Harold Davidson
(P) 1961 EMI Records Ltd. STEREO/ADD
Digital remastering (P) 2004 by EMI Records Ltd.
Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major, Op.83
[ 5] I. Allegro non troppo GB-AYC-88-03324 19.11
[ 6] II. Allegretto appassionato GB-AYC-88-03325 9.17
[ 7] III. Andante* GB-AYC-88-03326 12.05
[ 8] IV. Allegretto grazioso GB-AYC-88-03327 9.57
* Raymond Clark, cello
Philharmonia Orchestra
conducted by Carlo Maria Giulini
Recorded: 21 & 22.IV.1962, No. 1, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: Walter Legge
Balance engineer: Francis Dillnutt
(P) 1962 EMI Records Ltd. STEREO/ADD
Digital remastering (P) 1988 by EMI Records Ltd.
This compilation (P) 2011 by EMI Records Ltd. c EMI Records Ltd. 2011
CD 8
Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky 1840-1893
Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op.23
[ 1] I. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso - Allegro con spirito 21.20
[ 2] II. Andantino semplice - Prestissimo - Tempo I 7.46
[ 3] III. Allegro con fuoco 7.06
Philharmonia Orchestra
conducted by Alceo Galliera
Recorded: 18 & 19.IV.1960, No. 1, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: Walter Legge
Balance engineer: Harold Davidson
(P) 1961 EMI Records Ltd. STEREO/ADD
Digital remastering (P) 1991 by EMI Records Ltd.
Edvard Grieg 1843-1907
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.16
[ 1] I. Allegro molto moderato - Cadenza - Tempo I 14.32
[ 2] II. Adagio 6.55
[ 3] III. Allegro moderato molto e marcato - Andante maestoso 10.46
Philharmonia Orchestra
conducted by Alceo Galliera
Recorded: 19 & 20.IV.1957, No. 1, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: Walter Legge
Balance engineer: Neville Boyling
Recording first issued in 1958 by EMI Records Ltd. MONO/ADD
Digital remastering (P) 2001 by Testament
This compilation (P) 2011 by EMI Records Ltd. c EMI Records Ltd. 2011
CD 9
Franz Schubert 1797-1828
3 Klavierstucke, D.946
[ 1] Impromptu No. 1 in E flat minor 15.21
[ 2] Impromptu No. 2 in E flat 15.37
[ 3] Impromptu No. 3 in C 5.13
Recorded: 2 & 3.IX.1956, No. 3, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: William Mann
Balance engineer: Neville Boyling
Recording first issued in 1959 by EMI Records Ltd. MONO/ADD
Digital remastering (P) 1988 by EMI Records Ltd.
Fantasy in C "Wanderer", D.760
[ 4] Allegro con fuoco ma non troppo 6.32
[ 5] Adagio 7.49
[ 6] Presto 5.15
[ 7] Allegro 3.22
Recorded: 22 & 25.X.1957, No. 3, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: William Mann
Balance engineer: Harold Davidson & Neville Boyling
Recording first issued in 1959 by EMI Records Ltd. MONO/ADD
Digital remastering (P) 1988 by EMI Records Ltd.
Allegretto in C minor, D.915 c6.05
March in E, D.606 c4.12
Recorded: 15.X.1959, No. 3, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: Walter Legge
Balance engineer: Neville Boyling
Recordings first issued in 1959 by EMI Records Ltd. STEREO/ADD
Digital remastering (P) 2011 by EMI Records Ltd.
This compilation (P) 2011 by EMI Records Ltd. c EMI Records Ltd. 2011
CD 10
Franz Schubert
6 Moments musicaux, D.780
[ 1] No. 1 in C 5.35
[ 2] No. 2 in A flat 7.11
[ 3] No. 3 in F minor 1.59
[ 4] No. 4 in C sharp minor c5.48
[ 5] No. 5 in F minor c2.08
[ 6] No. 6 in A flat major c9.00
Recorded: 3 & 4.IX.1956, No. 3, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: William Mann
Balance engineer: Neville Boyling
Recording first issued in 1959 by EMI Records Ltd. STEREO/ADD
Digital remastering (P) 2011 by EMI Records Ltd.
Frederic Chopin 1810-1849
Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op.38
[ 7] I. Allegro maestoso 14.44
[ 8] II. Scherzo: Molto vivace 2.41
[ 9] III. Largo - 10.35
[10] IV. Finale: Presto non tanto 5.19
Recorded: 14, 24 & 25.IV. and 21.VI.1960, No. 3, Abbey Road Studios, London
[11] Fantasy in F minor, Op. 49 13.11
Recorded: 21.VI.1960, No. 3, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: Walter Jellinek
Balance engineer: Harold Davidson
(P) 1962 EMI Records Ltd. STEREO/ADD
Digital remastering (P) 2001 by EMI Records Ltd.
This compilation (P) 2011 by EMI Records Ltd. c EMI Records Ltd. 2011
CD 11
Frederic Chopin
12 Etudes, Op.10
[ 1] No. 1 in C 1.55
[ 2] No. 2 in A minor 1.22
[ 3] No. 3 in E 4.31
[ 4] No. 4 in C sharp minor 2.16
[ 5] No. 5 in G flat 1.41
[ 6] No. 6 in E flat minor 2.53
[ 7] No. 7 in C 1.37
[ 8] No. 8 in F 2.23
[ 9] No. 9 in F minor 2.09
[10] No. 10 in A flat 2.14
[11] No. 11 in E flat 3.00
[12] No. 12 in C minor 2.27
12 Etudes, Op.25
[13] No. 1 in A flat 2.25
[14] No. 2 in F minor 1.43
[15] No. 3 in F 2.04
[16] No. 4 in A minor 2.18
[17] No. 5 in E minor 3.24
[18] No. 6 in G sharp minor 2.06
[19] No. 7 in C sharp minor 5.18
[20] No. 8 in D flat 1.09
[21] No. 9 in G flat 1.04
[22] No. 10 in B minor 4.29
[23] No. 11 in A minor 3.36
[24] No. 12 in C minor 2.29
3 Nouvelles Etudes
[25] No. 1 in F minor 2.05
[26] No. 2 in D flat 2.24
[27] No. 3 in A flat 2.04
[28] Allegro de concert in A, Op.46 12.22
Recorded: 15 - 22 & 29.VI. and 5.IX.1956, No. 3, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: Alan Melville and William Mann
Balance engineer: Neville Boyling
Recording first issued in 1957 by EMI Records Ltd. MONO/ADD
This compilation & digital remastering (P) 2007 by EMI Records Ltd.
CD 12
Robert Schumann 1810-1856
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.54
[ 1] I. Allegro affetuoso - Andante espressivo - Tempo I - Cadenza - Allegro molto 16.45
[ 2] II. Intermezzo (Andantino grazioso) 5.54
[ 3] III. Allegro vivace 11.14
Philharmonia Orchestra
conducted by Alceo Galliera
Recorded: 24.V.1957, Walthamstow Town Hall, London
Producer: Lawrance Collingwood
Balance engineer: Robert E. Beckett
Recording first issued in 1958 by EMI Records Ltd. MONO/ADD
Digital remastering (P) 2001 by Testament
Carnaval, Op. 9
[ 4] 1. Preambule 2.04
[ 5] 2. Pierrot 0.59
[ 6] 3. Arlequin 0.35
[ 7] 4. Valse noble 1.06
[ 8] 5. Eusebius 2.04
[ 9] 6. Florestan 0.51
[10] 7. Coquette. 0.57
[11] 8. Replique 0.52
[12] 9. Papillons 0.40
[13] 10. A.S.C.H. - S.C.H.A. (Lettres dansantes) 0.46
[14] 11. Chiarina 0.45
[15] 12. Chopin 1.25
[16] 13. Estrella 0.32
[17] 14. Reconnaissance 1.49
[18] 15. Pantalon et Colombine 0.52
[19] 16. Valse allemande 0.31
[20] 17. Paganini (Intermezzo) 1.03
[21] 18. Aveu 1.00
[22] 19. Promenade 2.11
[23] 20. Pause 0.18
[24] 21. Marche des ≫Davidsbundler≪ contre les Philistins 3.32
Recorded: 3 & 4.IV.1939, No. 3, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: Unknown
Balance engineer: Unknown
MONO/ADD
Digital remastering (P) 1991 by EMI Records Ltd.
[25] Tarantelle in A flat, Op.43 2.41
Recorded: 1938, No. 3, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: Unknown
Balance engineer: Unknown
MONO/ADD
Digital remastering (P) 1991 by EMI Records Ltd.
[26] Debussy: Danse (Tarantelle styrienne) 4.54
[27] Debussy: Estampes - No. 3 Jardins sous la pluie 3.35
Recorded: 4.IV.1939, No. 3, Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer: Unknown
Balance engineer: Unknown
MONO/ADD
Digital remastering (P) 2011 by EMI Records Ltd.
This compilation (P) 2011 by EMI Records Ltd. c EMI Records Ltd. 2011
