Andor Foldes: Complete Deutsche Grammophon Recordings

The most comprehensive tribute ever issued to Hungarian pianist Andor Foldes (1913–1992) renowned for his polished and self-effacing style, containing many recordings new to CD, freshly remastered and enhanced by an extensive booklet appreciation by Stephen Siek and rarely reproduced photographs from the DG archive. Writing in 1961 – not yet 50 years of age – the Hungarian pianist Andor Foldes cast his mind back to student days in Budapest, and to pre-war rehearsals led by Bruno Walter. ‘We all were convinced that this was the way Mozart wanted his work to be played: without frills, without any undue virtuosity on the part of the soloist … Playing like one big happy family, in the service of a higher power – Mozart’s spirit.’ Throughout his career Foldes cultivated and emulated those qualities he discerned in Walter’s artistry. Such modesty and assurance are the hallmarks of his recordings, beginning here with the Bartók and Prokofiev he recorded in Paris in 1949-50 and which was released on French Polydor. Memorably direct accounts of Grieg and Schumann were released on Mercury, before Foldes settled down with Deutsche Grammophon, the most lasting and symbiotically satisfying artist-label relationship of his career. DG’s 1950s mono sound, analytical but not airless, was ideally suited to the Foldes sound, and he opened his account with the unlikely trio of Albéniz, Stravinsky and Virgil Thomson. Brahms, Liszt and Schumann classics soon followed: unhackneyed, freshly voiced i

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Details

Format: CD
Artist: Andor Foldes
Release Date: 03 July 2020
Genre: Classical Music
Label: ELOQUENCE / D.G.
Distributor: Universal Music