Ivory Classics Online

Disc.Image

Disc.Contnets

Richard Rodgers / Earl Wild

• [01] Slaughter on Tenth Avenue (1936/1957) 09:11 ('65)

piano: Earl Wild

orchestra: London Promenade Orchestra

conductor: Harry Rabinowitz

Max Steiner (1888-1971):

• [02] Symphonie Moderne (1939) 08:12 ('65)

piano: Earl Wild

orchestra: RCA Symphony Orchestra

conductor: Eric Hammerstein

Franz Liszt (1811-1886):

• [03] Concert Étude No. 3 in D flat major 'Un Sospiro' 05:30 ('67)

piano: Earl Wild

orchestra: Gamley Orchestra

conductor: Douglas Gamley

Miklós Rózsa (1907-1995):

• [04] Spellbound Concerto (1945) 08:00 ('65)

piano: Earl Wild

orchestra: London Promenade Orchestra

conductor: Charles Gerhardt

Frederic Chopin (1810-1849):

Grande Polonaise Brillante precedee d'un andante spianato Op. 22

• [05] Grande Polonaise Brillante 08:31 ('63)

piano: Earl Wild

orchestra: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

conductor: Russell Stanger

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791):

Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K. 467

• [06] 1st Mvt.: Allegro maestoso (Cadenza by Earl Wild)14:40 ('82)
• [07] 2nd Mvt.: Andante 07:03 ('82)
• [08] 3rd Mvt.: Allegro vivace assai (Cadenza by Earl Wild)06:23 ('82)

Disc.Reviews

This new label focuses on 'The Art of the Piano' and 'The Art of the Pianist.' They will be reissuing fine performances from the past, many never before issued on CD, from both known and unjustly-neglected pianists. All material on this disc was recorded in the 60's (except the Mozart 'Concerto' which was recorded in 1982) for Reader's Digest Records, produced by Charles Gerhardt and engineered by the legendary Kenneth Wilkinson. These pieces have been perfectly transferred to silver disc and sound better than ever. Just listen to the opening piece - Mr. Wild's inventive arrangement of Richard Rodgers' 'Slaughter on Tenth Avenue,' for a sample of the wide-range, dazzling sonic quality to be heard throughout. Especially in the 'Spellbound Concerto' and 'Symphonie Moderne' the 'Big Cinema Sound' is always apparent. Wild is as stylish in Mozart as he is in film music; this is a fine performance of polish and character.

In a market increasingly infected by easy compilations and cheap crossover albums, this release serves as a welcome antidote - a model for how to offer lightness of spirit without sacrificing artistic quality. The performances are vintage Wild. Earl Wild is so responsive to the idioms of each work that it’s sometimes hard to believe that we’re listening to a single pianist. The sound outclasses that on most releases being produced today.

Wild's Mozart 'Concerto No. 21' has been a favorite of mine from its vinyl days - so beautifully phrased and impeccably played that it never fails to win me over. Rodgers' 'Slaughter on 10th Avenue,' is an effulgent, spectacular piano concerto arrangement by Wild. Two thumbs up.