After a few years rest and some at-home unofficial rehabilitation Horowitz was ready to begin performing again. Horowitz recorded the material on this production in his own living room. We see a rejuvinated, different Horowitz, somone in much more control than in the 1982 and 1983 recitals. The only thing lacking in Horowitz’s performance from this point on was preparation, Horowitz admittedly did not practice very much and it shows. The film was awarded with two Emmy Awards in the category “Outstanding Classical Program in the Performing Arts”: Peter Gelb (executive producer), Susan Frömke (producer), Vladimir Horowitz (star) and in the category “Outstanding Individual Achievement – Classical Music/Dance Programming Directing”: Albert Maysles, David Maysles. It was nominated for Emmy Award in the category: “Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety or Music Series or a Special”: Lee Dichter (sound mixer), Lawrence Loewinger (sound mixer).Programme: J.S. Bach: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659 – Transcribed for piano Ferruccio Busoni – Mozart: Piano Sonata No.10 in C major, K.330 – Chopin: Mazurka No.13 in A minor Op.17 No.4, Scherzo No.1 in B minor, Op.20 – Schubert: 4 Impromptus, Op.90, D.899: No.4 in A flat – Liszt: 6 Consolations: No. 3 in D flat major (Lento, placido) – Schumann: Noveletten, Op.21: No.1 in F (Markiert und kräftig) – Rachmaninoff: Prélude in G sharp minor, Op.32, No.12 – Scriabin: Etude
Horowitz: A Reminiscence
After Horowitz’s death Wanda was interviewed for this production. Also included are segments of the 1974 footage including excerpts from Clementi’s Sonata in F-sharp minor and complete performances of Scriabin’s Vers la Flamme, op. 72 and Chopin’s Introduction and Rondo, op. 16) and segments from “The Last Romantic.”
Horowitz in London
Recorded and broadcast in May 1982, Horowitz’s technique was begining to decline, though he retained all the fire of his playing. Introduction: Interview (00:05:30). Programm: Robert Schumann, Kinderszenen op.15, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Sonata No. 2 in B-flat Minor, op. 36; Frédéric Chopin, Waltz in A-flat major, op. 69 No. 1
Yuja Wang & Víkingur Ólafsson: Live in Berlin
Two classical superstars and two of the most remarkable pianists of their generation join forces: Yuja Wang and Víkingur Ólafsson come together at the Philharmonie in Berlin for what promises to be an unmissable meeting of musical minds. As part of an extended tour that sees them performing together for the first time, they present a programme built around two classics of the four-hand repertoire – Schubert’s haunting Fantasie in F Minor and the two-piano version of Rachmaninoff’s powerful Symphonic Dances – alongside John Adams’s 1996 masterpiece Hallelujah Junction and further works by Adams, John Cage, Conlon Nancarrow and Arvo Pärt.
LSO: Michael Tilson Thomas & Yuja Wang at Barbican
Yuja Wang and Michael Tilson Thomas perform Rachmaninoff’s popular Second Piano Concerto. Rachmaninoff, destined to be a legendary pianist, found this piece challenging, yet Yuja Wang makes it sound effortless, explaining her global concert success. Michael Tilson Thomas complements her inspiring performance with two heartfelt pieces: a beautiful miniature by Edvard Grieg and the famous Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, promising a remarkable musical experience. PROGRAM Grieg: The Last Spring; Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No 2; Beethoven: Symphony No 5