By Barry Lenson
Our playlist this month pays homage to the Czech pianist Ivan Moravec, who passed away on July 27, 2015. Moravec was a unique musician and one of the greatest pianists of the last 100 years. Like his compatriot Rudolf Firkušný (1912-1994), Moravec belonged to a great tradition of Czech pianism that began with Ignaz Moscheles (1794-1870). Yet Moravec was unique. His playing, anchored in the classical simplicity of Haydn and Mozart, was the epitome of taste, aristocratic refinement and keen musical insight.
This month’s playlist of Moravec recordings, all available on Classical Archives, offers a revealing selection of his artistry in a wide variety of repertory.
Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1, Schumann Piano Concerto and Mozart Piano Concerto No. 25
Arthur Rubinstein, Emil Gilels and many other great pianists all made immortal recordings of the Brahms No. 1, but shortly after you start listening to Moravec’s recording (with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and conductor Eduardo Mata), you will discover the refined musicianship that made him so unique. His Brahms sounds like Mozart in its clarity and clear delineation of structure.
Then when you listen to Moravec’s recording of the Schumann (again with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Eduardo Mata), you will find it to be elegant and free of the bombast that has become associated with the work. Again, it sounds like Mozart.
And then when you hear the recording of the Mozart Concerto No. 25 that Moravec made with Sir Neville Mariner and the Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields, it sounds again like Mozart. In fact, it sounds like what Mozart playing should be about. And that seems to be one of the secrets of Moravec’s artistry. He brought the same classical purity to everything he played.
Debussy “Ondine” from Préludes, Book 2
Moravec often included Debussy in his recital programs. Again in this repertoire, his colorings and dynamics are remarkable. We have included just one example of his Debussy in this month’s playlist, which we hope will encourage you to explore more of his recordings of Debussy.
Chopin Mazurkas
Both Arthur Rubinstein and Ivan Moravec disliked sentimentality and extreme rhythmic distortions when playing Chopin. What is remarkable is that even though both those immortal pianists shared those opinions, they nonetheless played Chopin so differently. Perhaps that is a reflection of the deceptive simplicity of Chopin’s works, which reveal new facets when played by different artists.
“In the Mists” and Piano Sonata “From the Street” by Leoš Janáček
If everyone discovered the music of Janáček by listening to Moravec play it, it would have many more fans. Don’t you agree? Perhaps that is because both Janáček and Moravec were Czech, but let us not look for easy explanations. Great music and great music-making supersede all categories.
And for a legacy of great music making, let us now give thanks for the rich recorded legacy that Ivan Moravec left for us to enjoy. We also thank Classical Archives subscriber John H. Pendley for suggesting that we honor Ivan Moravec with this month’s playlist.
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Enjoy our playlist selected from the following albums:
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Barry Lenson, who writes the Classical Commentary Blog, earned degrees in voice and opera from McGill University and the Yale School of Music. Barry has written and co-authored more than a dozen books as well as thousands of articles, interviews, and blog posts. |
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Featured New Releases
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Strauss, Ellington: Parallel Tones
Kristjan Järvi,
Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra
naïve
31 Jul 2015
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Shostakovich Under Stalin's Shadow:
Symphony No. 10
Andris Nelsons,
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Deutsche Grammophon
31 Jul 2015
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Beethoven: Variations
Olga Pashchenko
Alpha
31 Jul 2015
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Barsanti: 6 Recorder Sonatas, Op.1
Arcadia
Glossa
31 Jul 2015
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Fritz: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2 &
Violin Concerto in E Major
Ilze Grudule, Kesselberg Ensemble
Musiques Suisses
31 Jul 2015
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Handel: The Complete Solo Sonatas for Wind Instruments
Various Artists
Accent
31 Jul 2015
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