Vladimir Horowitz, piano: Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23 (1948)
New York: Bruno Walter conducting the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, April 11th, 1948.
I’ve never heard a greater ovation in the middle of a piece; after the first movement. I wonder if this recording gives us a glimpse of the night in 1928 when Horowitz, a last-minute substitute, got his big break in Hamburg so wonderfully described by Abram Chasins in his great book “Speaking of Pianists”:
“…After the orchestral opening, Horowitz started. Upon hearing his first crashing chord, the conductor Pabst spun around in amazement. At the second, he jumped off the podium and sprinted to the piano, staring incredulously at Horowitz’s hands. He stayed right there until the conclusion of the first cadenza, his face a study in disbelief while his arms beat time – Horowitz’s time. When it was all over, the piano lay on the platform like a slain dragon and the whole house rose as one, screaming hysterically. Pabst grabbed his soloist and hugged him repeatedly, while the audience tore the place apart…”
The composition: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_Co…)
1. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso — Allegro con spirito (B flat minor → B flat major)
2. Andantino semplice — Prestissimo (D flat major)
3. Allegro con fuoco (B flat minor → B flat major)
The composer: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyotr_Il…
The pianist: Vladimir Horowitz:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir…
The conductor: Bruno Walter:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruno_Wa…
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