In my slim collection of such, I've an elaborate AMQS in his hand. Everything written upon it was shaky of appearance excepting for one single word -- "Wien" -- penned as clear and fine as could be! According to his dating of it and the records, this item was created only a few days before he died! Big Al was a champ in many ways, and so-especially because so liberal in what he left to us as his legacy-in-sound. If ONLY that OTHER 'Big Al' -- Reisenauer -- had recorded something too, which he certainly could have and, as easily as did Grünfeld. Thanks very much @pianopera for this perfect little gem and the fine visual of him in his natural environment. =================================================== Now fifteen minutes later and adding a correction plus some additional . . . Having fetched it -- this item of Grunfeld's is dated " Wien Du 1 Dezember 1923 Alfred Grunfeld " just as he wrote it exactly. The AMQ is of his "Romanze op. 45 / Andante con moto". He gives two bars of the composition treble & bass staffs. Most peculiarly, there is written in-between those two last something which I cannot make out and can only say that it is complicated and indecipherable to my eye, being almost code-like! So, now correcting for the record: it was four weeks and four days 'tween it's making and the day of his departure -- January 4, 1924 and of course, in his beloved Vienna.
I'm always reminded how fortunate we are that Grunfeld was a prolific record maker at such an early time for the technology. He's always fascinating to listen to. Thank you for the post.
Grunfeld made quite a number of piano rolls at this time and these show his playing is always elegant. He appears to have been comfortable in the Viennese style of repertoire and as far as I know didn't record anything which was technically too taxing
That he was much more than a salon-style pianist who only played the light stuff becomes clear when you see his concert programs that included big pieces like the Schumann Fantasie. Also, his Wagner-Liszt "Liebestod" is one my favourite recordings of Grünfeld (in fact, of the whole acoustic era!).
@@kaleidoscopio5 I meant a pianist who mainly played the "light stuff" of his time - like waltzes, polkas and J. Strauss arrangements. He did record that repertoire a lot and he was very good in it, but as a musician he was much more versatile than that.
@@pianopera My roll catalogue shows that around half of Grunfeld's rolls are his own compositions which are very appealing, all with a Viennese flavour. More than just salon pieces but not much more. Otherwise, Strauss transcriptions, a couple of Impromptus and Novellettes each by Schubert and Schumann and a smattering of other composers. I agree about the Liebestod, I have his roll version which I uploaded. It's there if you're interested.
![Mozart - Symphony No. 39 in E flat, K. 543 [complete]](/img/n.gif)
I don't remember hearing this before - the sound is incredible for 1905! Thank you for this!
It's taken from the CD "Legends of the Piano" (Naxos Historical - for once the YT algorithm recognized it correctly!).
In my slim collection of such, I've an elaborate AMQS in his hand. Everything written upon it was shaky of appearance excepting for one single word -- "Wien" -- penned as clear and fine as could be! According to his dating of it and the records, this item was created only a few days before he died!
Big Al was a champ in many ways, and so-especially because so liberal in what he left to us as his legacy-in-sound.
If ONLY that OTHER 'Big Al' -- Reisenauer -- had recorded something too, which he certainly could have and, as easily as did Grünfeld.
Thanks very much @pianopera for this perfect little gem and the fine visual of him in his natural environment.
===================================================
Now fifteen minutes later and adding a correction plus some additional . . .
Having fetched it -- this item of Grunfeld's is dated " Wien Du 1 Dezember 1923 Alfred Grunfeld " just as he wrote it exactly.
The AMQ is of his "Romanze op. 45 / Andante con moto".
He gives two bars of the composition treble & bass staffs. Most peculiarly, there is written in-between those two last something which I cannot make out and can only say that it is complicated and indecipherable to my eye, being almost code-like!
So, now correcting for the record: it was four weeks and four days 'tween it's making and the day of his departure -- January 4, 1924 and of course, in his beloved Vienna.
I'm always reminded how fortunate we are that Grunfeld was a prolific record maker at such an early time for the technology. He's always fascinating to listen to. Thank you for the post.
danke
Delivered with tonal refinement, style and elegance!
Elegant and charming. Always enjoy Grunfeld.
!
Grünfeld's Viennese charm and rubato; his golden, sweet and velvety tone reminds me completely of Kreisler.
Grunfeld made quite a number of piano rolls at this time and these show his playing is always elegant. He appears to have been comfortable in the Viennese style of repertoire and as far as I know didn't record anything which was technically too taxing
That he was much more than a salon-style pianist who only played the light stuff becomes clear when you see his concert programs that included big pieces like the Schumann Fantasie. Also, his Wagner-Liszt "Liebestod" is one my favourite recordings of Grünfeld (in fact, of the whole acoustic era!).
@@pianopera what is it a "salon-style pianist"? 🤔
@@kaleidoscopio5 I meant a pianist who mainly played the "light stuff" of his time - like waltzes, polkas and J. Strauss arrangements. He did record that repertoire a lot and he was very good in it, but as a musician he was much more versatile than that.
@@pianopera I get it. And yes, pretty much all of his recordings are good, full of good taste and expresivity. He was a real musician 😎
@@pianopera My roll catalogue shows that around half of Grunfeld's rolls are his own compositions which are very appealing, all with a Viennese flavour. More than just salon pieces but not much more. Otherwise, Strauss transcriptions, a couple of Impromptus and Novellettes each by Schubert and Schumann and a smattering of other composers. I agree about the Liebestod, I have his roll version which I uploaded. It's there if you're interested.
An unfairly forgotten pianist. Such a nice style ❤
My God what a Bell epoque treasure
grazie
Is this a roll or recording?
Recording : 1905