Jed--You mentioned that it would have been good if Cliburn had re-recorded the Tchaikovsky in the mid-1960s when he was more mature. As it happened, I attended his performance of the work with the Oklahoma City Symphony in 1966 or 1967. The orchestra's capable music director then was Guy Fraser Harrison, a genial Englishman. I thought his performance was terrific and seemed less controlled than in the famous recording. But, I have no idea if a newer studio recording would have been very different from the original.
I think Cliburn certainly displays strong artistry and a mature poise in the 1958 RCA recording. Still, there are tiny imprecisions that probably could have been fixed if more time had been alotted for the sessions. They don’t bother me, though
Probably the most frequently recorded concerto of all time. Then there's the more obscure and fragmentary nuggets that Marston has released, with Lhevinne, Foster, early Horowitz, etc.
I believe that his two most famous recorded performances are the Tchaikovsky first and Rachmaninoff third. I wonder how his other recordings have fared in popularity as time has progressed.
If you are the same John Gavin who has written some of the best researched and vividly stylized music biographies in English, you are one of my great heroes! I can't vouch for the popularity of Cliburn's other recordings over time. Artistically speaking, however, some performances have withstood the test of time well, and have held their own in the face of massive catalogue competition. Here's a link to my Between the Keys episode marking what would have been Cliburn's 90th birthday, and I worked rather hard curating this playlist to include performances that reveal Cliburn's interpretive style at fullest capacity: www.wwfm.org/show/between-the-keys-with-jed-distler/2024-07-12/van-cliburn-at-90
This is not a concerto I really love. Of the Cliburn performances, I prefer the live one. I'm not sure if the studio version was a best seller on this side of the Atlantic, where there was perhaps more ambivalence about the Cold War. I recently discovered the recent Sudbin version, which I found revelatory & almost made me love the piece!
@@jdistler2 Like you, I haven't listened to it for awhile (a few years), either. Or any other recorded performance, for that matter. It's kind of worn out its welcome with me, but now I'm curious to listen to the Gilels/Reiner recording again. Reiner was a "theater guy;" but not exactly Mr. Warmth. I'll be curious what you think..
This recording was my first exposure to the piece on an RCA Victrola LP, in the mid 60's. didn't have anything like critical ears back then though. I know he later recorded it with Mehta too.
@@jdistler2 You definitely should. I heard it for the first time about a month ago and I was blown away. It's probably now my favorite recording of the concerto. There's a real sense of occasion in the recording; the excitement is almost palpable. And, not surprisingly, Gilels playing is superb. No one brings out the poetry of this piece like Gilels.
Your podcast is excellent. I look forward to your future episodes!
Thank you for your kind words !
Jed--You mentioned that it would have been good if Cliburn had re-recorded the Tchaikovsky in the mid-1960s when he was more mature. As it happened, I attended his performance of the work with the Oklahoma City Symphony in 1966 or 1967. The orchestra's capable music director then was Guy Fraser Harrison, a genial Englishman. I thought his performance was terrific and seemed less controlled than in the famous recording. But, I have no idea if a newer studio recording would have been very different from the original.
I think Cliburn certainly displays strong artistry and a mature poise in the 1958 RCA recording. Still, there are tiny imprecisions that probably could have been fixed if more time had been alotted for the sessions. They don’t bother me, though
Outstanding presentation. I wish the video had gone on even longer.
Some of my future podcast episodes are relatively lengthy! But I appreciate your kind words, and I hope you'll keep tuning in to the podcast.
great podcast! i love the live Rachmoninof 3 they did- 🎉
Thank you! I'm happy you're listening, and please spread the word!
I must say Van was a very nice man and great promoter of other pianists...
Yes he was. He certainly was gracious to me.
And to me as s well...
@jdistler2
One of my first LPs was Cliburn's 'My favorite Chopin'. Idiomatic playing that I haven't tired of.
It's some of MY favorite Chopin, too!
Probably the most frequently recorded concerto of all time. Then there's the more obscure and fragmentary nuggets that Marston has released, with Lhevinne, Foster, early Horowitz, etc.
Ward Marston has done such important work, and I treasure his reissues!
I believe the Juilliard archives have a Cliburn performance of this concerto from 1953! Jean Morel conducts.
You are right! I forgot all about that! It would be interesting to hear, indeed.
I believe that his two most famous recorded performances are the Tchaikovsky first and Rachmaninoff third. I wonder how his other recordings have fared in popularity as time has progressed.
If you are the same John Gavin who has written some of the best researched and vividly stylized music biographies in English, you are one of my great heroes! I can't vouch for the popularity of Cliburn's other recordings over time. Artistically speaking, however, some performances have withstood the test of time well, and have held their own in the face of massive catalogue competition. Here's a link to my Between the Keys episode marking what would have been Cliburn's 90th birthday, and I worked rather hard curating this playlist to include performances that reveal Cliburn's interpretive style at fullest capacity: www.wwfm.org/show/between-the-keys-with-jed-distler/2024-07-12/van-cliburn-at-90
This is not a concerto I really love. Of the Cliburn performances, I prefer the live one. I'm not sure if the studio version was a best seller on this side of the Atlantic, where there was perhaps more ambivalence about the Cold War. I recently discovered the recent Sudbin version, which I found revelatory & almost made me love the piece!
I prefer the live one from the 1958 competition as well!
you mentioned that Gilels was on the jury. What's your opinion of the recording that Gilels made with Reiner/Chicago in 1955?
To be honest, I haven't heard Gilels/Reiner in a while, and I need to revisit it with fresh ears.
@@jdistler2 Like you, I haven't listened to it for awhile (a few years), either. Or any other recorded performance, for that matter. It's kind of worn out its welcome with me, but now I'm curious to listen to the Gilels/Reiner recording again. Reiner was a "theater guy;" but not exactly Mr. Warmth. I'll be curious what you think..
This recording was my first exposure to the piece on an RCA Victrola LP, in the mid 60's. didn't have anything like critical ears back then though. I know he later recorded it with Mehta too.
I have a feeling the orchestra may have been mostly or entirely the Symphony of the Air players.
@@jdistler2 You definitely should. I heard it for the first time about a month ago and I was blown away. It's probably now my favorite recording of the concerto. There's a real sense of occasion in the recording; the excitement is almost palpable. And, not surprisingly, Gilels playing is superb. No one brings out the poetry of this piece like Gilels.