26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the Greatest Romantic Pianists, August 6, 2000
This review is from: Benno Moisewitsch: Great Pianists of the 20th Century, Vol. 70 (Audio CD)
The decision by Phillips to give only one volume of the Great Pianists of the 20th Century series to Benno Moiseiwitsch, while giving three volumes to the likes of Alfred Brendel is one of the great blunders of our time. Nearly forgotten in today's digital age, Benno Moiseiwitsch was a close friend of Rachmaninoff and other composers of the era.
This 2-CD set reveals some of the characteristics that made him one of the most beloved pianists in Europe during the first six decades of the 20th Century: lovely, unpercussive tone; technique which is solid without being showy; the ability to mould a phrase (almost a lost art these days); and an innate musicality.
Every piece on this set demonstrated the above attributes. Of particular interest are the fiendishly difficult Mendelssohn/Rachmaninoff Scherzo from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (recorded in one take!); the Liszt "La leggierezza" which features Moiseiwitsch's own ending; and the most elegant account of Rachmaninoff's Second Concerto this listener has ever heard.
This is a must for all who love great piano playing.
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