{"product_id":"katchen-plays-dohnanyi-rachmaninov-1959-pasc266","title":"KATCHEN plays Dohnányi \u0026 Rachmaninov (1959) - PASC266","description":"overviewfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003eDOHNÁNYI \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003eVariations on a Nursery Tune\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"bodybigblue\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003eRACHMANINOV \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003eRhapsody on a Theme of Paganini\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cspan class=\"bodymidarial\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12px;\"\u003eRecorded 1959\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12px;\"\u003eTotal duration: 45:49 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003eJulius Katchen, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003epiano\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003eLondon Philharmonic Orchestra\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003econductor \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003eSir Adrian Boult\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9review_titlefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fMusicWeb International Review578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9review_quotefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fThe Pristine sound is deeper; the music suddenly acquires more dimensions. Rachmaninov in particular became even more spectacular\n578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9review_bodyfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f\u003cp\u003eThe two works on this disc have much in common. Both are sets\nof variations on some well-known tune, each treats its theme\nrather liberally. They are as close to piano concertos as can\nbe, but what distinguishes them from a concerto is the goal:\nthe emphasis is not on the piano writing, but on the development\nof the music itself - the piano just happens to be the forward\nplayer. \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe \u003ci\u003eVariations on a Nursery Tune\u003c\/i\u003e by Dohnányi start with\na brooding introduction, as if extracted from a Brahms symphony.\nIt is full of grand gestures, blaring brass, full orchestral\nattacks, and does not hint at what will follow. No sign of a\nvariation yet: its motifs are not based on the main theme of\nthe work, except for the phrase of the horns. Instead, the music\nseems to come from the drafts of Wagner or Franck. The theme\nthen comes as a big surprise - what? that's what it is all about?\nMozart already based variations on \u003ci\u003eAh, vous dirai-je, Maman\u003c\/i\u003e\n(aka \u003ci\u003eTwinkle Twinkle Little Star\u003c\/i\u003e), but then the theme\nwas not surrounded by such seriousness! \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe theme is presented very simply, with minimal accompaniment.\nThe variations are extremely diverse, passing through an array\nof late-Romantic styles. Starting with merry runs of the glimmering\npiano, through a burlesque with brass calls, we arrive at a\nsensual and suave waltz which mixes Richard Strauss with Tchaikovsky.\nThis is followed by a healthy, rustic scene a-la Dvorák, then\nby the song of glittering silver bells, and by a prankish quarrel\nof high woodwinds. Another grand waltz - this time \u003ci\u003enoble\net sentimentale\u003c\/i\u003e, just as Ravel would have had it. A fast\nmarch, with dark wood-notes of bassoon and odour of boots and\nrifles, evokes the \u003ci\u003eTralali, Tralalei, Tralala\u003c\/i\u003e of Mahler.\nAfter it Holst's \u003ci\u003eUranus\u003c\/i\u003e is mixed with some young Shostakovich\nfor a jumping, sharply accentuated and mischievous episode.\nThe resemblance to the theme is barely heard by now. After a\nBrucknerian brass chorale, the strings sing a warm Romantic\nmelody that could fit a Rachmaninov concerto. The swirl is tighter\nand tighter, the music becomes anxious and frenetic, the wave\nrises and erupts in a powerful Wagnerian climax. The next variation\nis reminiscent of planetary mechanics - grandiose and elegant.\nNext comes the golden filigree, with transparent lightness and\n\u003ci\u003ejoie de vivre\u003c\/i\u003e. Suddenly the theme returns and reminds\nus how simple the source of all this richness and variety was.\nA short, jubilant ending wraps all up. \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIf it is your first introduction to the Dohnányi Variations,\nyou should be aware of its subtitle: “For the enjoyment of humorous\npeople and for the annoyance of the others”. In all the faux\npathos of the Wagnerian introduction, the pregnant pauses and\nthe overexcited climaxes, the composer is jesting, making fun\nof almost every name popular in 1914. Katchen enjoys wearing\nall these masks, and plays with bravura and character. Together\nwith Boult, they produce sparkles and a lot of fun. \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe same forces in the same year and venue recorded Rachmaninov's\n\u003ci\u003eRhapsody\u003c\/i\u003e. Unlike Dohnányi’s work, this is a developing\nstory, like music to a ballet. The variations are bold and adventurous,\nprojecting the famous theme by Paganini in all possible directions.\nIts demonic and lyrical sides are explored all the way to deepest\nabysses and highest peaks. The \u003ci\u003eDies irae\u003c\/i\u003e motif is recurring,\nas it appears to be a close relative of the theme. We spend\nmuch time in the midnight world of the \u003ci\u003eSymphonic Dances\u003c\/i\u003e.\nThe episodes are not separate, as in Dohnányi Variations, but\nform a cinematographic chain of scenes - ghostly, heroic, sinister,\ntriumphant. The orchestration is colorful and inventive. The\nperformance is rather on the \"fast and furious\" side,\nthe piano is recorded closer than on Dohnányi, and its sound\nis grand yet beautiful. The entire work is done compactly and\ncoherently. The coordination between the soloist and the orchestra\nis excellent, both rhythmically and dynamically. The 18th Variation\nis not over-sugared. The last few variations are performed with\nwhite-hot intensity and are positively mind-shattering. All\nin all, if somebody wants to have just one single version of\nthis work, this recording could be an excellent candidate. \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nI may be wrong, but it seems to me that these are the same performances\nthat were recorded by Decca\/London and issued in the \u003ci\u003eJulius\nKatchen II\u003c\/i\u003e volume of the Philips series \"Great Pianists\nof the 20th Century\" (those brown \"books\"). However,\nthe sound quality is definitely different, as the Pristine record\nbenefits from an XR re-mastering by Andrew Rose - a new transfer\nfrom the original tapes. While the difference is not radical,\nit is noticeable if you compare side by side. The Decca\/Philips\nrecord has more tape hiss, but the sound there is more unified.\nThe tape hiss was tamed on the Pristine record - not completely,\nand is still rather noticeable in Rachmaninov. The Pristine\nsound is deeper; the music suddenly acquires more dimensions.\nRachmaninov in particular became even more spectacular. The\nsurrounding ambience is rather \"dead\" in Philips,\nmore \"alive\" in Pristine. This is all great, but at\nthe same time the minor fluctuations that were veiled before\nhave become more apparent now. Andrew Rose in his restoration\nnotes mentions a tendency to mild distortion during brass peaks,\nand I still hear it. So, the new restoration is better for loudspeakers,\nbut probably worse if you listen via headphones. Also, Pristine\nput each work in a single track, while Philips has each variation\non a separate track, which is more convenient. Philips also\nhas the benefit of the company: the generously filled double-disc\nset also contains both Ravel's concertos, Liszt's Second, Prokofiev's\nThird, \u003ci\u003eRhapsody in Blue\u003c\/i\u003e and a rondo by Beethoven - a\ntrue constellation! If you already have it, you probably won't\nneed this new release. The liner-note is minimal and not very\ninformative. \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eOleg Ledeniov\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9main_samplefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fsamples\/PASC266.mp3578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_labelfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fProducer's Note578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_typefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fcontent578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_contentfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 24px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eKatchen's wonderful stereo Dohnányi and Rachmaninov\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\u003cem class=\"bodymid\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003e\"poise, poetry, glitter, and in the Dohnányi a sense of humour\" - Gramophone\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp class=\"body\"\u003eThese stereo recordings were made in London by Decca for issue domestically in the UK in May 1960, a few short months after London Records issued them in the USA.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"body\"\u003eAt the time there were four release formats - the 33rpm long playing vinyl record, in mono or stereo, and the quarter-inch open reel tape, likewise available in mono and stereo formats. Both had their merits and their shortcomings - LPs may suffer from surface noise, clicks, ticks, crackle and so forth, as well as end of side distortion, swish, off-centre pressings and so on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"body\"\u003eTape would therefore, on the face of it, have a number of advantages, with none of the above being an issue. However, in the pre-Dolby days tape hiss was a perennial issue, frequency range was sometimes slightly less than that of the LP, magnetic drop-out was a risk, as was tape flutter and - as with the LP - simple wear of the magnetic surface. The present recordings were transferred from quarter-track stereo open reel Ampex tape at 7.5 inches per second, issued commercially by London in the USA.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"body\"\u003eA Revox B77 quarter-track machine was used for the transfer, perhaps the highest quality tape deck ever made for this format, which rarely saw professional use. Beyond the aforementioned tape hiss, which has been gently but significantly tamed using digital noise reduction, the tape also suffered from a surprising amount of very-low-end rumble and a tendency to mild distortion during brass peaks, both of which have been dealt with during restoration. Frequency response generally was excellent, and the overall tonal balance remains largely faithful to the superb original.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"body\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eAndrew Rose\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_cover_thumbnail1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_cover_thumbnail2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_cover_download_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample3_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample4_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample5_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample6_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_labelfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fFull Track Listing578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_typefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5ftrack_listing578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_contentfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"bodybigblue\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDOHNANYI \u003c\/b\u003eVariations on a Nursery Tune, Op. 25 \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"bodymidarial\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Recorded in stereo by Decca, 12th January, 1959, Kingsway Hall, London \u003cbr\u003e Produced by Michael Williamson Engineered by Kenneth Wilkinson\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"bodybigblue\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRACHMANINOV \u003c\/b\u003eRhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cspan class=\"bodymidarial\"\u003eRecorded in stereo by Decca, 1st May, 1959, Kingsway Hall, London \u003cbr\u003e Stereo recording produced by Erik Smith Stereo recording engineered by Alan Reeve \u003cbr\u003e (A separate engineer and producer team recorded this piece for the mono issue.)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cspan class=\"bodymidarial\"\u003eThese recordings were first issued on LP in the USA as London CS6153 (and in mono as CM9262) in February 1960, \u003cbr\u003e and in the UK as Decca SXL2176 (and in mono as LXT5550) in May 1960.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Transfers taken from London \"Full Frequency Stereo Tape\" (ffst) LCL-80036, 1\/4-track at 7.5IPS \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\n\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Julius Katchen, \u003c\/b\u003epiano\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e London Philharmonic Orchestra\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e conductor \u003cb\u003eSir Adrian Boult\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"bodysmallarial\"\u003eXR remastering by Andrew Rose at Pristine Audio, January 2011 \u003cbr\u003e Cover artwork based on a photograph of Julius Katchen\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nTotal duration: 45:49 \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_cover_thumbnail1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_cover_thumbnail2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_cover_download_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample3_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample4_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample5_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample6_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_labelfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fCover Art578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_typefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fcover_art578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_contentfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_cover_thumbnail1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fcovers\/thumbs\/PASC266.jpg578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_cover_thumbnail2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_cover_download_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fcovers\/PASC266.pdf578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample3_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample4_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample5_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample6_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f","brand":"Pristine Classical","offers":[{"title":"Stereo 24-bit FLAC","offer_id":47172295164103,"sku":"pct1789307264286","price":14.48,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Stereo 16-bit FLAC","offer_id":47172295196871,"sku":"vzp1789307264287","price":8.04,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"320kbps Stereo MP3","offer_id":47172295229639,"sku":"ibd1789307264288","price":6.79,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0702\/7923\/3735\/files\/katchen-plays-dohnanyi-rachmaninov-1959---pasc266_1.jpg?v=1789307268","url":"https:\/\/nextstylefashion.shop\/products\/katchen-plays-dohnanyi-rachmaninov-1959-pasc266","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}