Hommage: Tribute to Clara Haskil & Dinu Lipatti [Import]

Haskil (Artist), Lipatti (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 13, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Tahra France
• ASIN: B00005AKK5
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #825,956 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #76 in Music > Classical > Ballets & Dances > Baroque Dance Suites > Gigue

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. La Leggierezza, for piano in F minor (Grandes études de concert No. 2) , S. 144/2 (LW A118/2)

2. Gigue, for piano

3. Presto for piano in B flat major, FP 70

4. Characteristic Piece for piano in A major ('Schnell und beweglich'), Op. 7/4

5. Capriccio for piano in C sharp minor, Op. 76/5

6. Intermezzo for piano in B flat major, Op. 76/4

7. Prelude for piano in A minor, Op. 51/2

8. Etudes-Tableaux, for piano, Op. 33

9. Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 19: Excerpt

10. Variations on the name 'Abegg,' for piano in F major, Op. 1

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Nun komm der Heiden Heiland (I), chorale prelude for organ (Orgel-Büchlein No. 1), BWV 599 (BC K28)

2. Interview of Dinu Lipatti by François Magnenat (in French) (Interview)

3. Interview of Dino Lipatti by Franz Walter (in French) (Interview)

4. Interview of Dinu Lipatti by Henri Jaton (in French) (Interview)

5. Piano Concerto No. 3 in E major, Sz. 119, BB 127 (completed by Tibor Serly): I. Allegretto

6. Piano Concerto No. 3 in E major, Sz. 119, BB 127 (completed by Tibor Serly): II. Adagio reglioso - poco piu mosso - tempo I

7. Piano Concerto No. 3 in E major, Sz. 119, BB 127 (completed by Tibor Serly): III. Allegro vivace

8. Sonatina for piano, left hand: Movement 1

9. Sonatina for piano, left hand: Movement 2

10. Sonatina for piano, left hand: Movement 3

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The Tahra label has produced some of the most interesting historical reissues of recent years. But this awkwardly packaged set, which won't fit on standard CD shelves, seems like real barrel-bottom scraping. Both pianists were Romanian and they were good friends, but that's scant reason to package these two CDs together. The Haskil includes early home recordings, almost drowned by surface noise (and one of them startlingly incomplete) and not played with anywhere near the level of artistry she had at her best. The big item, Mozart's Ninth Piano Concerto, does show the pianist playing well, but the recording is murky, the orchestra sloppy. And who needs to hear her practicing passages from a Beethoven Concerto? Only a Bach Chorale transcription is truly worthwhile here.

As for Lipatti, all the material on the disc is otherwise available, except for three interviews in French, translated in the English program notes. The Bartók Third Piano Concerto, also available in good sound on EMI , isn't even that great a performance. This set is strictly a fan club item. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Two Beings Made of Light", March 31, 2008

By 

Robert Manari (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hommage: Tribute to Clara Haskil & Dinu Lipatti (Audio CD)

"Two beings made of light" - this is how Madeleine Lipatti called the two legends featured on this Tahra double CD release, a release of undeniable historical value and interest. Clara and Dinu not only share the same country of birth, Romania (incidentally, same as another legend in making, Radu Lupu), but little is known about their very close and dedicated friendship which lasted more than 15 years. Much more is to be learned from reading the immensely interesting, fascinating and touching notes written by Jerome Spycket (Clara Haskil's biographer, whose book is still sadly only available in French). His notes I am proud to say, provided the inspiration of this present review.

Clara Haskil (Bucharest, 1895 - Brussels, 1960) only achieved the well deserved international recognition after World War Two. She is now rightfully regarded as the greatest Mozart interpreter of her generation. On the other hand, Dinu Lipatti (Bucharest, 1917 - Geneva, 1950) has already enjoyed a well established reputation before he passed away so young after a long and painful illness. His unrivaled interpretations from Bach to Bartok will always be treasured by connoisseurs and collectors everywhere. The "Prince of Pianists" (as Lipatti is warmly referred to by Mark Ainley - an expert on the subject whom I like to call a friend of mine and constantly keep bugging to write that much needed Lipatti biography!), is also now being discovered as a very fine composer (his Concertino in classical style for piano and chamber orchestra op. 3, being the most often performed).

The two CDs here are extremely well balanced and filled with programs selected in a very creative way. To begin with, each has a piano concert: Mozart's # 9 for Clara and Bartok's # 3 for Dinu. To just say that both are beautiful played would be a gross understatement..... The Haskil CD also contain few private recordings (unquestionably, of certain sentimental value to her), many never before issued, and made during a period of convalescence after heart problems. They are of undeniable importance being the only recordings Clara ever made of these particular works. Beautiful and emotionally charged little musical treasures, they offer us a glimpse of the private world of an artist at work. How often is one allowed such joy and privilege? Lipatti's Sonatine for the left hand is also very special, being the only recording ever made by the composer himself. Lipatti's CD also contains three, never before issued, radio interviews in French, a real treat to any of his numerous fans. The two CDs link is provided by Bach's Chorale "Nun komm' der Heiden Heiland" - each interpretation amazing in its own right, and still so different....

Luckily the present release is still available (for now) from Tahra's own catalogue. I would rush to buy it before it goes out of print, same as another release of vast historical value which comes to mind, and somehow related to the present one: "Festival de Besancon 1951 - Concert d'hommage a Dinu Lipatti, dirige par George Enesco" (TAH 426).

Finally, very sad that Amazon's editorial review written by Leslie Gerber fails to grasp the unique and significant historical, sentimental and artistic value of this present release. I just wish there were more labels like Tahra around! The immeasurable service they have provided and continue to provide to the classical music world (for over fifteen years now), still have to be fully appreciated.