A Reminiscence

• Main performer: Vladimir Horowitz
• Booklet languages: English, French, German
• Time: 62:10
• Release Date: 2001

Review

The only real thing that separates a poetaster like Vladimir Horowitz from a poet like Sviatoslav Richter is taste. Sure, Horowitz's renowned technique actually had more holes in it than a rusty bucket, while Richter's is nearly super-human in its power and precision, and sure, Horowitz's celebrated tone actually had more brass than bronze in it, while Richter's is pure gold and silver. But the thing that really makes the difference in their playing is taste. For the most part, Horowitz specialized in works that might be called show-stopping spectaculars, works designed by their composers as virtuoso demonstration pieces. But, of course, all they demonstrate is technique and as far as taste goes, well, there are slasher movies with more taste.

So it is a relief to listen to this disc, entitled Vladimir Horowitz A Reminiscence, and hear almost nothing except tiny, tender piano pieces designed by their composers as the quintessence of their lyricism. And it is even more of a relief to hear Horowitz demonstrate an ability to spin a long line, to make a tempo pulse and breathe, to create colors as vivid and radiant as the best of Monet. From a graceful Impromptu through a heartfelt Waltz, a soulful Mazurka, an exalted Prelude, and an ecstatic Liebestod, Horowitz demonstrates that when he stayed away from the spectacular, he could indeed be a poet at the piano. Sony's remastered sound is warm and real. ~ James Leonard, Rovi

Performances

Composer	Title	Time
Franz Schubert	Impromptu for piano in G flat major, D. 899/3 (Op. 90/3)	5:47
Frédéric Chopin	Waltz for piano No. 7 in C sharp minor, Op. 64/2, CT. 213	3:14
Frédéric Chopin	Prelude for piano No. 6 in B minor, Op. 28/6, CT. 171	2:06
Frédéric Chopin	Prelude for piano No. 15 in D flat major, Op. 28/15, CT. 180	5:11
Domenico Scarlatti	Sonata for keyboard in D major, K. 491 (L. 164)	3:56
Ferruccio Busoni	Ich ruf' zu dir, transcription for piano (after J.S. Bach, BWV 639; Ten Chorale Preludes No. 5), KiV B27/5	2:53
Frédéric Chopin	Mazurka for piano No. 27 in E minor, Op. 41/2, CT. 77	2:08
Sergey Rachmaninov	Prelude for piano No.23 in G sharp minor, Op. 32/12	2:58
Ludwig van Beethoven	Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor ("Moonlight"), Op. 27/2 (I. Adagio sostenuto)	5:55
Sergey Rachmaninov	Moments Musicaux (6) for piano, Op. 16	6:45
Franz Liszt	Consolation, for piano No. 2 in E major "Un poco più mosso", S. 172/2 (LW A111a/2/2)	3:29
Alexander Scriabin	Feuillet d'album for piano in E flat major, Op. 45/1	1:13
Alexander Scriabin	Etude for piano in A flat major, Op. 8/8	3:41
Alexander Scriabin	Feuillet d'album for piano, Op. 58	1:29
Claude Debussy	Préludes (12) for piano, Book II, L. 123 (VII. La terrasse des audiences du clair de lune)	4:23
Claude Debussy	Préludes (12) for piano, Book II, L. 123 (V. Bruyères. Calme)	2:44
Robert Schumann	Kinderszenen No. 1 ("Von fremden Ländern und Menschen"), for piano, Op. 15/1	1:34
Robert Schumann	Kinderszenen No. 7 ("Träumerei"), for piano, Op. 15/7	2:44

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