New Arrivals/Restock

Title: Cherkassky: The Ambassador Auditorium Recitals, 1981–1989
Artist: Shura Cherkassky
Label: First Hand
Product Type: COMPACT DISCS
UPC: 5060216341699
Genre: Classical Artists
Release Date: 2025-02-14
Number of Discs: 3

Shura Cherkassky (1909-1995) was a Russian-American concert pianist known for his performances of the romantic repertoire. He was one of the last pianists to come from the Golden Age of Pianism, whose playing was characterised by a virtuoso technique and singing piano tone. Cherkassky early on in his career earned a reputation for spontaneity, creativity, and technical perfection in his playing. His sound was unique and became almost instantly recognisable and was famous for never playing the same piece the same way.In addition to the standard virtuoso repertoire, especially that of Chopin, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff, Cherkassky also performed works by Hofmann, Hindemith, Morton Gould, Britten, Luciano Berio, Alban Berg, Stockhausen, Boulez and other 20th century/contemporary composers.The stimulus of a live audience always produced a more compelling performance from Cherkassky than he would give in a recording studio. Presented here are all the recital performances, totalling over five hours, which he gave at the Ambassador Auditorium between 1981 and 1989, published for the first time.

Tracks:
1.1 Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23
1.2 Nocturne No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 9, No. 2
1.3 Nocturne No. 15 in F minor, Op. 55, No. 1
1.4 Andante spianato et Grande Polonaise brillante in E flat major, Op. 22~I. Andante spianato
1.5 Andante spianato et Grande Polonaise brillante in E flat major, Op. 22~II. Grande Polonaise brillante
1.6 Fantaisie in F minor, Op. 49
1.7 Impromptu No. 2 in F sharp major, Op. 36
1.8 Fantaisie-impromptu in C sharp minor, Op. 66
1.9 Scherzo No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 31
1.10 Nocturne No. 3 in B major, Op. 9, No. 3
1.11 Waltz No. 5 in A flat major, Op. 42, 'Grande valse'
2.1 Work(s)~Suite de Pièces: I. Allemande
2.2 Work(s)~Suite de Pièces: II. Air tendre
2.3 Work(s)~Suite de Pièces: III. Courante
2.4 Work(s)~Suite de Pièces: IV. Sarabande
2.5 Work(s)~Suite de Pièces: V. Gigue
2.6 Scherzo a capriccio in F sharp minor, WoO 3
2.7 Grand Sonata in G major, Op. 37~I. Moderato e risoluto
2.8 Grand Sonata in G major, Op. 37~II. Andante non troppo quasi moderato
2.9 Grand Sonata in G major, Op. 37~III. Scherzo. Allegro giocoso
2.10 Grand Sonata in G major, Op. 37~IV. Finale. Allegro vivace
2.11 Polonaise No. 7 in A flat major, Op. 61, 'Polonaise-fantaisie'
2.12 Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52
3.1 Charakterskizzen, Op. 40~No. 4. Kaleidoskop
3.2 Réminiscences de Don Juan, S418
3.3 Prélude pathétique
3.4 Waltz No. 5 in A flat major, Op. 42, 'Grande valse'
3.5 Prélude, Choral et Fugue, M. 21~Prélude
3.6 Prélude, Choral et Fugue, M. 21~Choral
3.7 Prélude, Choral et Fugue, M. 21~Fugue
3.8 Carnaval, Op. 9~Préambule
3.9 Carnaval, Op. 9~Pierrot
3.10 Carnaval, Op. 9~Arlequin
3.11 Carnaval, Op. 9~Valse noble
3.12 Carnaval, Op. 9~Eusebius
3.13 Carnaval, Op. 9~Florestan
3.14 Carnaval, Op. 9~Coquette
3.15 Carnaval, Op. 9~Réplique
3.16 Carnaval, Op. 9~Papillons
3.17 Carnaval, Op. 9~A.S.C.H.-S.C.H.A. (lettres dansantes)
3.18 Carnaval, Op. 9~Chiarina
3.19 Carnaval, Op. 9~Chopin
3.20 Carnaval, Op. 9~Estrella
3.21 Carnaval, Op. 9~Reconnaissance
3.22 Carnaval, Op. 9~Pantalon et Colombine
3.23 Carnaval, Op. 9~Valse allemande
3.24 Carnaval, Op. 9~Paganini
3.25 Carnaval, Op. 9~Aveu
3.26 Carnaval, Op. 9~Promenade
3.27 Carnaval, Op. 9~Pause
3.28 Carnaval, Op. 9~Marche des Davidsbündler contre les Philistins
4.1 Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Op. 42
4.2 Charakterskizzen, Op. 40~No. 4. Kaleidoskop
4.3 Nocturne No. 15 in F minor, Op. 55, No. 1
4.4 Barcarolle in F sharp major, Op. 60
4.5 Valse de l'opéra Faust de Gounod, S407/R166
4.6 España, Op. 165~II. Tango
4.7 Polka de W.R.
4.8 Seasons, Op. 37a~No. 10. October: Autumn Song
5.1 Keyboard Suite No. 5 in E Major, HWV 430~IV. Air and Variations, 'The Harmonious Blacksmith'
5.2 Fantasy in C major, Op. 17~III. Langsam getragen. Durchweg leise zu halten
5.3 6 Morceaux, Op. 19~No. 6. Thème original et variations in F major
5.4 7 Morceaux de salon, Op. 10~No. 3. Barcarolle in G minor
5.5 Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 in C sharp minor, S244/R106
5.6 España, Op. 165~II. Tango
5.7 Tarentelle in A flat major, Op. 43