Chopin, Janáček & Mussorgsky: Works for Piano (Live)

Album review

In 1957, Rudolf Firkusný made his first appearance at the Salzburg Festival, in both a concerto performance and a solo recital. This album is the bulk of his recital, with only the opening Haydn sonata not being included because of time restraints. Even without the Haydn, this is a hefty program of substantial works. His Chopin is remarkable for its lyricism, at times sounding like one of the Nocturnes while remembering that the Sonata is richer material. Firkusný plays the third movement so sensitively, so instinctively, while the final movement is energetic, but still greatly expressive. The first movement of the Janácek sonata, "Presentiment," is almost intense in its feeling of helplessness in the face of inevitable tragedy. The second movement, "Death," begins quietly, but builds darkly to a plateau of futility, and finally, resignation. Firkusný's Pictures at an Exhibition is highly individualistic and attractive in its details. He plays with more freedom of tempo and articulation than most performers. "Gnomus" is faster and sharper than expected, while the melodic sections of the movement are more studied. He uses a lot of rubato, lengthening phrases in slower movements, such as "The Old Castle" and some of the promenades, but he also adds speed in certain places, such as leading up to the "Great Gates" at the end, concentrating the anticipation of what is to follow. He has a few minor stumbles toward the end of Pictures, understandable given the size of the program, and they really only disturb the atmosphere of the performance once, in the "Catacombs" movement. Although not a perfectly polished performance, Firkusný's range of expression in these significant works makes this recital truly enjoyable.
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