Leon Fleisher Recital - Bach/Brahms, Scriabin, Saint-Saens

Jeno Takacs (Composer), Camille Saint-Saens (Composer), Robert Saxton (Composer), Johannes Brahms (Composer), Felix Blumenfeld (Composer), Alexander Scriabin (Composer), Leopold Godowsky (Composer), Leon Fleisher (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Leon Fleisher
• Composer: Jeno Takacs, Camille Saint-Saens, Robert Saxton, Johannes Brahms, Felix Blumenfeld, et al.
• Audio CD (July 27, 1993)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000027UF
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #137,278 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #61 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Modern, 20th, & 21st Century > Composers > Scriabin, Alexander

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Leon Fleisher made this recording in 1991, several years before he regained the ability to play with both hands. What makes this disc worthwhile even for the general music lover is Brahms's transcription of the Bach Chaconne, much more faithful and effective than the famous one by Busoni. The disc also includes an amusing set of études by Saint-Saëns, a dazzling étude by Felix Blumenfeld (Horowitz's teacher), two excellent pieces by Scriabin and several contemporary works. If Fleisher doesn't quite eclipse memories of Simon Barere in the Blumenfeld Étude, his playing is always musical and technically sound, especially in the difficult Brahms transcription, the best performance of this arrangement ever recorded. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Introduction to Leon Fleisher, September 15, 2006

By 

Vera Kolb "Vera Kolb" (Kenosha, WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leon Fleisher Recital - Bach/Brahms, Scriabin, Saint-Saens (Audio CD)

Leon Fleisher needs no introduction. Don't you just hate that? Everybody needs an introduction, no matter how famous they are. You, out there, may have never heard of Leon Fleisher. You may not even feel bad about it, considering that you are way behind in your other self-improvement projects. You may be stuck in the middle of the Plato's Dialogues, and may not have even started that Balzac.
No matter what your circumstances are, you need to be urgently introduced to Mr. Fleisher, and this CD is a perfect way of doing it!
You will be immediately impressed by the most delicate playing ever, in which Mr. Fleisher literally caresses each note. As you listen to his performance of Bach you will finally understand what Plato meant by the world of perfect forms. The rest of the pieces reveal emotional variety and richness in which you will easily participate.
Maybe Mr. Fleisher is so famous because he makes his listeners feel so special. We achieve musical greatness vicariously, through him.
After you finish listening to this CD, please "Google" Mr. Fleisher to learn about his extraordinary courage and spirit in times of disability of his right hand. There is a happy ending in which his love and great gift for music conquered all adversity! You will also learn about his incredible, most impressive musical pedigree. By this time, fortunately, it will be too late to be intimidated by it! Leon Fleisher has already become your friend. He played his gentle music just for you, in your living room.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing left-hand recital!, December 14, 2000

By 

offeck (New York, NY -- United States of America) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leon Fleisher Recital - Bach/Brahms, Scriabin, Saint-Saens (Audio CD)

Clear and detailed Toccata and Fugue. Crisp Saint Saens Op 135. Masterful interpretation of Brahm's transcription of the Chaccone from Bach's Second Solo Violin Partita. The Scriabin and Blumenthal are expressive and warm but seem aren't terribly moving. Thee hand-taxing Symphonic Metamorphoses is sparkly and flamboyant. Sound is a bit bright, but disc is highly enjoyable.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fleisher the Master of Left Hand, March 25, 2008

By 

Scriabinmahler (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leon Fleisher Recital - Bach/Brahms, Scriabin, Saint-Saens (Audio CD)

Michel Beroff recorded similar repertoire, superbly played, but somehow it hasn't caught my interest. On the other hand, Fleisher's performaces of these works are captivating. Amazing thing is that your attention is never drawn to left-handed-ness of playing, but to the music itself. Sheer musicianship and artistry transcend such technical matter. His performance of Saint-Saens' Etudes, Brahms's transcription of Bach's Chaconne, Blumenfeld's dazzling Etude is second to none. Except for too languid account of Scriabin's Op.9 Nocturne (unusually for him Fleisher completely misjudges tempo!), I thoroughly enjoyed every track of the CD.