Having grown up in Rochester, I heard Iturbi several times in the 60s and 70s as soloist and guest conductor with the Rochester Philharmonic, of which he was music director 1936-43. The players still around who'd played during his tenure loved him both as a musician and a person. I did not, however, hear the program of his playing and conducting the Rochester orchestra from the keyboard on November 24, 1975 at Avery Fisher Hall. After conducting the Marriage of Figero Overture, he played Haydn in D, Mozart in D, Mendelssohn in G and the Franck Symphonic Variations, plus encores. I don't have it, but I've seen it on pirate trade lists, so it's around. Anyone here happen to have it? ;) His Carnegie Hall debut in 1929 is legendary. Before intermission he played both books of the Brahms Paganini Variations and the ovation was so prolonged he simply played encores in lieu of an intermission and second half.
Amazing, thank you! To think he was approaching his 79th birthday when he played this... incredible! The first encore is Albeniz: Sevilla (Suite Espagnole No. 3) and the second is Chopin: Waltz No.14 in E Minor, Op. Posth
Wonderful. Iturbi’s Mozart album on Ivory Classics has long been a favorite, tastefully expressive at a time many contemporaries still played Dresden China. Melchior was no less great for making very entertaining movies (try Two Sisters From Boston with its superb Wintersturme). Neither was Iturbi. Thanks as always.
The two Iberia pieces are priceless! What pianist has ever played them with this total command of the instrument and such rhythmic bite? I hope his complete Iberia from NY City shows up online sometime! Can't wait!
Having grown up in Rochester, I heard Iturbi several times in the 60s and 70s as soloist and guest conductor with the Rochester Philharmonic, of which he was music director 1936-43. The players still around who'd played during his tenure loved him both as a musician and a person. I did not, however, hear the program of his playing and conducting the Rochester orchestra from the keyboard on November 24, 1975 at Avery Fisher Hall. After conducting the Marriage of Figero Overture, he played Haydn in D, Mozart in D, Mendelssohn in G and the Franck Symphonic Variations, plus encores. I don't have it, but I've seen it on pirate trade lists, so it's around. Anyone here happen to have it? ;)
His Carnegie Hall debut in 1929 is legendary. Before intermission he played both books of the Brahms Paganini Variations and the ovation was so prolonged he simply played encores in lieu of an intermission and second half.
Amazing, thank you! To think he was approaching his 79th birthday when he played this... incredible!
The first encore is Albeniz: Sevilla (Suite Espagnole No. 3) and the second is Chopin: Waltz No.14 in E Minor, Op. Posth
Wonderful. Iturbi’s Mozart album on Ivory Classics has long been a favorite, tastefully expressive at a time many contemporaries still played Dresden China. Melchior was no less great for making very entertaining movies (try Two Sisters From Boston with its superb Wintersturme). Neither was Iturbi. Thanks as always.
I understand that Iturbi suggested to his record company that he record the complete Iberia. They said no because it wouldn't sell! An historic loss.
The marketing nerds at Columbia in the late 40's must have thought differently, witness Arrau's Iberia.
@@pianomaly9 Which was not complete.
Right, forgot there are two other books.
Gracias por compartir este fabuloso recital!
The two Iberia pieces are priceless! What pianist has ever played them with this total command of the instrument and such rhythmic bite? I hope his complete Iberia from NY City shows up online sometime! Can't wait!
Wonderful!!!!! Thanks for posting!
Thanks so much 😍