Seriously hard to believe this recording even exists- much less that a 70+ year old man could deliver a performance like this during a practice session?? Thank you so much for sharing!
This is still my favorite interpretation. Even with the poor sound quality, it’s such a pleasure to listen to. Alkan is the most underrated composer I know of
As a child somehow I found a recording of Petri in Hammerklavier and have cherished it for decades . I remember Lowenthal talking about him in relation to Alkan but I didn't know he recorded this. Just read about Ravenaugh recording this . How fortunate we are ! He makes Alkan speak as he should ; a gentleman of breadth and insight (sound less provincial when compared to Liszt in his deep moments) .Petri had courage . Like Leo Sirota he is one of the greats that we don't have as much or the quality we would like .
1st movt Allegro moderato; 2nd movt Marche funèbre starts at 8:03; Minuet at 13:31; Finale at 19:05. Amazing how his velvet touch comes through the poor recording. I can think of only a few pianists with a comparable touch: Solomon, Ginzburg ... I'm already struggling! Thanks for posting.
Is it really true that this recording was recorded during his practice session? Such a high quality of his interpretation... Oh, my... Thumbs up to Egon Petri!
Apparently he broadcast 8-10 ( concerto for unaccompanied piano ) on the BBC. If only ... According to Ronald Smith the run time was well short of the expected 50 min so the cuts must have been savage. Harold Schoenberg said Petri played Alkan etudes lasting half a program. That sounds like a full performance of the concerto. In those days, that would have been half a program. A full program now. Thanks for the upload. My favourite is Lewenthal with this as 2nd. Much better than today's performances which can best be described as clinical. Incidentally, Rachmaninoff played 2 works of Alkan: funeral march ( Op26?) and Op39 No1. What I wouldn't give to hear those!!
I was speaking to my good friend the late Derek Bell, on the phone, and he asked If I was coming to see him. "OK" I said, and I set off for his home about seven miles away. When he opened the door, he greeted me with the announcement "I have just played the Beethoven symphonies!" "What?" I asked "All nine of them?" "Yes" He replied. "Recordings?". "No, piano arrangements!". He must have been up very early, because it was before lunchtime when I arrived!
In addition to his commercial recording of the Symphonie for RCA, there are Lewenthal's performances in a '66 London recital, and in his '63 radio talk on Alkan, both on YT.
I agree that this spontaneous take is a more convincing document of Petri's abilities than, frankly, most of his commercial discography, which is puzzlingly sloppy much of the time (and not just technically), as if he can't be bothered to listen carefully and discriminatingly to his own playing, despite the evidence that he had all the tools of greatness. This is entirely different: it's compelling, well shaped, well nuanced, full both of subtleties of touch and of forceful yet multi-hued address of the instrument. Colossal playing. Magical! And so Alkanesque.
I don't hear sloppy in his discography at all - emotionally detached at times perhaps... the issue for me has been more that the precision was sometimes at the expense of the warmth and expansiveness that we hear here. I have found that even in his later years his precision was pretty impressive. But there's no doubt that this is a whole other level. Check out the 1930s broadcasts of Totentanz and a movement of the Busoni Concerto - also completely different from his studio efforts. He was a pretty astounding pianist that, like many, was not at his best in front of a microphone...
Harry Anderson told me that he went to hear a Petri recital in which the Symphonie was played, but fell asleep during it! He said he'd had a hard day at his office job.
Mark do you know if any of Lewenthal’s biographical work on Alkan was ever made available ? The Alkan society website does not include it in their list
@@ThePianoFiles thanks Mark. It’s intriguing that RL refers to his book (as if it was published) in the first paragraph of his biographical section on Alkan in his Alkan album “the piano music of Alkan”. I see Ronald Smith published 3 volumes on Alkan which I imagine are well representative
very good interpretation ! he is struggling a bit in the finale. But better struggeling a little and having a vivid exciting interpretation than playing note perfect without any risks, which just leads boredom.
Indeed - and isn't it incredible to think he was about 70 at the time, and this is just a private rehearsal with no pause, not a concert! Certainly exciting!
I didnt consider that, youre totally right. Great physical ability at that later stage in life to be able to play this piece with this kind of artistic vision. Very passionate and expressive performance, i really admire. And also great pianistic tradition form Busoni, Petri to Ogdon, and many more. I hope to discover more !
Seriously hard to believe this recording even exists- much less that a 70+ year old man could deliver a performance like this during a practice session?? Thank you so much for sharing!
This is still my favorite interpretation. Even with the poor sound quality, it’s such a pleasure to listen to. Alkan is the most underrated composer I know of
As a child somehow I found a recording of Petri in Hammerklavier and have cherished it for decades . I remember Lowenthal talking about him in relation to Alkan but I didn't know he recorded this. Just read about Ravenaugh recording this . How fortunate we are ! He makes Alkan speak as he should ; a gentleman of breadth and insight (sound less provincial when compared to Liszt in his deep moments) .Petri had courage . Like Leo Sirota he is one of the greats that we don't have as much or the quality we would like .
Wdym by provincial
1st movt Allegro moderato; 2nd movt Marche funèbre starts at 8:03; Minuet at 13:31; Finale at 19:05. Amazing how his velvet touch comes through the poor recording. I can think of only a few pianists with a comparable touch: Solomon, Ginzburg ... I'm already struggling! Thanks for posting.
Une interprétation absolument fantastique de l'un des chefs-d'œuvre incontestés d'Alkan.
This is such an incredible recording. Sound quality aside, it still shines alongside all the other great recordings made.
The second movement is the best i've ever listened to
Is it really true that this recording was recorded during his practice session? Such a high quality of his interpretation... Oh, my... Thumbs up to Egon Petri!
Yup! Definitely recorded in those circumstances - and I met the person who did it! Absolutely MAGICAL playing!
Beautiful
This is still one of my favorite recordings of this work despite its warts, because I can hear the grand and nutty romantic vision of Alkan.
Formidable playing of Alkan Thank you for this lovely work that few can bring off like this.
Petri's voicings are something else, never thought Alkan could have a musical depth like this. Thanks for uploading!
Apparently he broadcast 8-10 ( concerto for unaccompanied piano ) on the BBC. If only ...
According to Ronald Smith the run time was well short of the expected 50 min so the cuts must have been savage.
Harold Schoenberg said Petri played Alkan etudes lasting half a program. That sounds like a full performance of the concerto. In those days, that would have been half a program. A full program now.
Thanks for the upload. My favourite is Lewenthal with this as 2nd. Much better than today's performances which can best be described as clinical.
Incidentally, Rachmaninoff played 2 works of Alkan: funeral march ( Op26?) and Op39 No1. What I wouldn't give to hear those!!
I was speaking to my good friend the late Derek Bell, on the phone, and he asked If I was coming to see him. "OK" I said, and I set off for his home about seven miles away. When he opened the door, he greeted me with the announcement "I have just played the Beethoven symphonies!" "What?" I asked "All nine of them?" "Yes" He replied. "Recordings?". "No, piano arrangements!". He must have been up very early, because it was before lunchtime when I arrived!
In addition to his commercial recording of the Symphonie for RCA, there are Lewenthal's performances in a '66 London recital, and in his '63 radio talk on Alkan, both on YT.
I never knew this work. Great composer and great pianist!
I agree that this spontaneous take is a more convincing document of Petri's abilities than, frankly, most of his commercial discography, which is puzzlingly sloppy much of the time (and not just technically), as if he can't be bothered to listen carefully and discriminatingly to his own playing, despite the evidence that he had all the tools of greatness. This is entirely different: it's compelling, well shaped, well nuanced, full both of subtleties of touch and of forceful yet multi-hued address of the instrument. Colossal playing. Magical! And so Alkanesque.
I don't hear sloppy in his discography at all - emotionally detached at times perhaps... the issue for me has been more that the precision was sometimes at the expense of the warmth and expansiveness that we hear here. I have found that even in his later years his precision was pretty impressive. But there's no doubt that this is a whole other level. Check out the 1930s broadcasts of Totentanz and a movement of the Busoni Concerto - also completely different from his studio efforts. He was a pretty astounding pianist that, like many, was not at his best in front of a microphone...
Thank you so much for sharing this fantastic recording!!
I have a splitting headache now, so many notes!!! ;)
Thank you!
Harry Anderson told me that he went to hear a Petri recital in which the Symphonie was played, but fell asleep during it! He said he'd had a hard day at his office job.
HAHAHA oh dear!!
Whoa! Gotta go get a copy of this piece now!!
Fine throughout, but the last movement is absolutely on fire!
I agree - though the final minute or so of the first movement gets me every time too!
Referring to below, I mean the comment box.
Mark do you know if any of Lewenthal’s biographical work on Alkan was ever made available ? The Alkan society website does not include it in their list
To my knowledge it's not... I believe whatever material exists is housed in his collection at the International Piano Archives at Maryland
@@ThePianoFiles thanks Mark. It’s intriguing that RL refers to his book (as if it was published) in the first paragraph of his biographical section on Alkan in his Alkan album “the piano music of Alkan”. I see Ronald Smith published 3 volumes on Alkan which I imagine are well representative
very good interpretation ! he is struggling a bit in the finale. But better struggeling a little and having a vivid exciting interpretation than playing note perfect without any risks, which just leads boredom.
Indeed - and isn't it incredible to think he was about 70 at the time, and this is just a private rehearsal with no pause, not a concert! Certainly exciting!
I didnt consider that, youre totally right. Great physical ability at that later stage in life to be able to play this piece with this kind of artistic vision. Very passionate and expressive performance, i really admire. And also great pianistic tradition form Busoni, Petri to Ogdon, and many more. I hope to discover more !