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50 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Horowitz's Historic Moscow Performance -- A Legend At His Best!, October 19, 2005
I own the original videotape of "Horowitz in Moscow" and "Horowitz in London." Both are wonderful (5 stars each), but "Horowitz in Moscow" is extraordinary. It's like two DVDs in one. You get great personal insight into the life of Horowitz, particularly about his emotional return to Russia after a 60 year absence. This "return" -- a running theme in the lives of displaced Russian pianists who fled to the West, like Horowitz and Rachmaninov -- sets the emotional tone for the Russian recital (and encores) marvelously. One cares about Horowitz more and hopes to hear great performances. The grand master delivers. On the DVD you will find several Scarlatti, Scriabin, Rachmaninov, and countless other gems. Pianists tend to age well. It's not uncommon to see a seventy or eighty year old pianist wobble to the piano (one wonders if they will get there without collapsing), sit down shakily, and explode into a wonderful performance that is at least 85-90% of their best ever. Sometimes, an older pianist playing a piece that requires greater musical understanding and maturity -- and is less taxing technically -- will play the piece even better than in their youth. You get much of the latter on this DVD. Horowitz's fingers were so remarkable in his youth that the grand master's 90% is another's 150%. There is no meltdown of skill here. This is a virtuoso at his prime, at times excelling his youthful performances of Scriabin, Scarlatti, and others. No musical library is complete without this DVD. Now, if only "Horowitz in London" came out on DVD too!
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52 of 55 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Horowitz in Moscow on DVD, May 4, 2005
It is good to see the powers that be in the DVD world are not ignoring classical music. I have been wanting to see Horowitz material reissued in the new format and I was not disappointed.
Comparing the DVD to my LaserDisc, I find that the video portion is somewhat superior on DVD, with improved clarity and contrast. The sound is also better. There are two audio versions, the original non-compressed stereo, and a new Dolby Digital 5.1 track which will knock your socks off. If you have a DVD player, this disc is a must, if you haven't purchased a player yet, this is incentive to get one!
Unlike the Pioneer DVD release, this Sony release contains Horowitz's final encore, Rachmaninoff's Polka VR.
Now, how about putting the other Horowitz videos on DVD?
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51 of 55 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Horowitz in Moscow on DVD, April 7, 2000
This review is from: In Moscow (DVD)
It is good to see the powers that be in the DVD world are not ignoring classical music. I have been wanting to see Horowitz material reissued in the new format and I was not disappointed. Comparing the DVD to my LaserDisc, I find that the video portion is somewhat superior on DVD, with improved clarity and contrast. The sound is also better. There are two audio versions, the original non-compressed stereo, and a new Dolby Digital 5.1 track which will knock your socks off. If you have a DVD player, this disc is a must, if you haven't purchased a player yet, this is incentive to get one! Two minor caveats, Horowitz' final encore, Rachmaninoff's Polka, which was included in the VHS versions, is not present, as it was not in the Laserdisc issued by the same company. Also the on-screen biographical sketch of Horowitz contains several errors which Horowitz fans will be able to spot right away. Other than that, this is a fine re-issue. Now, how about putting the other Horowitz videos on DVD?
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