Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of classical piano with Wilhelm Backhaus's "The Complete Acoustic & Selected Early Electric Recordings." This meticulously curated collection spans over two and a half hours of exquisite performances, showcasing Backhaus's unparalleled virtuosity and deep musical insight. Recorded between 1908 and 1923, these tracks offer a rare glimpse into the early 20th-century classical music scene, featuring works by composers such as Chopin, Liszt, Schubert, and Mozart.
Backhaus's interpretations are renowned for their technical precision and emotional depth, making this album a treasure trove for both seasoned classical enthusiasts and newcomers alike. From the intricate etudes of Chopin to the dramatic rhapsodies of Liszt, each piece is rendered with a clarity and sensitivity that highlights Backhaus's extraordinary talent. The inclusion of both acoustic and early electric recordings adds a historical dimension, allowing listeners to appreciate the evolution of recording technology and its impact on musical performance.
Highlights include Backhaus's renditions of Chopin's "Études, Op. 10" and "Op. 25," Liszt's "Hungarian Rhapsodies," and Mozart's "Sonata in F Major, K. 525." The album also features lesser-known gems like Schubert's "Moments musicaux" and Dvořák's "Czech Dances," showcasing Backhaus's versatility and his ability to bring out the unique character of each composition.
Released on November 3, 2023, by APR, this album is a testament to Wilhelm Backhaus's enduring legacy as one of the greatest pianists of his generation. Whether you're seeking a moment of quiet reflection or an exhilarating display of pianistic prowess, "The Complete Acoustic & Selected Early Electric Recordings" promises a rich and rewarding listening experience.
Tracks
Morceaux de fantaisie, Op. 3: No. 2, Prelude in C-Sharp MinorSergei Rachmaninoff, Wilhelm Backhaus
Liebesträume, S. 541: No. 3, O lieb, so lang du lieben kannst! - 1908 RecordingFranz Liszt, Wilhelm Backhaus
Scenes of Country Life, Op. 19: II. Norwegian Bridal ProcessionEdvard Grieg, Wilhelm Backhaus
Grandes Études de Paganini, S141: No. 3, La CampanellaFranz Liszt, Wilhelm Backhaus
24 Préludes, Op. 28: No. 1, Prélude in C Major - 1908 RecordingFrédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Études, Op. 10: No. 1 in C Major "Waterfall" - 1908 RecordingFrédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Suite No. 5 in E Major, HWV 430: IV. Air and Variations "The Harmonious Blacksmith"George Frideric Handel, Wilhelm Backhaus
Piano Sonata No. 1 in C Major, Op. 24, J. 138: IV. Presto "Perpetuum Mobile"Carl Maria von Weber, Wilhelm Backhaus
Fantaisie-Impromptu in C Sharp Minor, Op. posth. 66: Fantaisie-Impromptu in C Sharp Minor, Op. posth. 66Frédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I, BWV 846-869: Prelude and Fugue No. 3 in C-Sharp Major, BWV 848: I. PreludeJohann Sebastian Bach, Wilhelm Backhaus
The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I, BWV 846-869: Prelude and Fugue No. 3 in C-Sharp Major, BWV 848: II. FugueJohann Sebastian Bach, Wilhelm Backhaus
Études, Op. 25: No. 6 In G-Sharp Minor "Thirds"Frédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Études, Op. 25: No. 1 In A-Flat Major "Aeolian Harp"Frédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Études, Op. 25: No. 8 in D-Flat Major "Sixths"Frédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Études, Op. 25: No. 9 In G-Flat Major "Butterfly"Frédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Études, Op. 10: No. 5 In G-Flat Major "Black Keys"Frédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Concert Études, Op. 10: No. 12 In E-Flat MinorHans Seeling, Wilhelm Backhaus
Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16: I. Allegro molto moderato (Abridged)Edvard Grieg, Wilhelm Backhaus, Landon Ronald, Royal Albert Hall Orchestra
Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16: III. Allegro moderato molto e marcato (Abridged)Edvard Grieg, Wilhelm Backhaus, Landon Ronald, Royal Albert Hall Orchestra
Novelletten, Op. 21: No. 7 In E majorRobert Schumann, Wilhelm Backhaus
Waltz in A-Flat Major, Op. 42: Waltz in A-Flat Major, Op. 42 - 1911 RecordingFrédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Waltz in G-Flat Major, Op. 70 No. 1: Waltz in G-Flat Major, Op. 70 No. 1Frédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Waltz in E Minor, Op. posth.: Waltz in E Minor, Op. posth.Frédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Czech Dances, Book I, JB 1:107: No. 3, Polka in F major - 1911 RecordingBedřich Smetana, Wilhelm Backhaus
Sonata in F Major, K. 525: Sonata in F Major, K. 525Domenico Scarlatti, Wilhelm Backhaus
Sonata in G Major, K. 523: Sonata in G Major, K. 523Domenico Scarlatti, Wilhelm Backhaus
Hungarian Rhapsodies, S. 244: No. 2 in C-Sharp MinorFranz Liszt, Wilhelm Backhaus
Études, Op. 10: No. 12 in C Minor "Revolutionary"Frédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Moments musicaux, Op. 94, D. 780: No. 3 in F Minor - 1913 RecordingFranz Schubert, Wilhelm Backhaus
12 Lieder von Franz Schubert, S. 558: No. 9, Ständchen "Hark, Hark! the Lark"Franz Liszt, Wilhelm Backhaus
Études, Op. 10: No. 7 in C Major "Toccata" - 1913 RecordingFrédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Waltz in D Flat Major, Op. 64 No. 1: "Minute" - 1913 RecordingFrédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Waltz in D Flat Major, Op. 64 No. 1: "Minute" - 1916 RecordingFrédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Études, Op. 10: No. 2 in A Minor "Chromatic" - 1916 RecordingFrédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Études, Op. 25: No. 3 in F Major "Horseman" - 1916 RecordingFrédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Études, Op. 25: No. 2 In F Minor "Bees"Frédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
7 National Dances, Op. 82: No. 7, Polka in G MajorAnton Rubinstein, Wilhelm Backhaus
Soirées à Saint-Pétersbourg, Op. 44: No. 1, Romance In E-Flat MajorAnton Rubinstein, Wilhelm Backhaus
Hungarian Rhapsodies, S. 244: No. 12 in C-Sharp MinorFranz Liszt, Wilhelm Backhaus
Variations on a Theme by Paganini, Op. 35: Variations on a Theme by Paganini, Op. 35 (Abridged)Johannes Brahms, Wilhelm Backhaus
Études, Op. 25: No. 11 In A Minor "Winter Wind"Frédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Polonaise in A Major, Op. 40 No. 1 "Military": Polonaise in A Major, Op. 40 No. 1 "Military"Frédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Don Giovanni, K. 527: Serenade (Arr. for Piano by Wilhelm Backhaus)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Wilhelm Backhaus
Widmung (After Robert Schumann), S. 566: Widmung (After Robert Schumann), S. 566Franz Liszt, Wilhelm Backhaus
La source: "Naïla" valse (Arr. for Piano by Ernő Dohnányi)Léo Delibes, Wilhelm Backhaus
Liebesträume S. 541: No. 3, O lieb, so lang du lieben kannst! - 1923 RecordingFranz Liszt, Wilhelm Backhaus
Polonaise in A Flat Major, Op. 53 "Heroic" (Abridged): Polonaise in A-Flat Major, Op. 53 "Heroic" (Abridged)Frédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Waltz in A Flat Major, Op. 42: Waltz in A-Flat Major, Op. 42 - 1923 RecordingFrédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Czech Dances, Book 1, JB 1:107: No. 3, Polka in F Major - 1923 RecordingBedřich Smetana, Wilhelm Backhaus
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