Zenph Art Tatum "Piano Starts Here"

Posted by: Oldnslow on 23 June 2008

This is the second Zenph "re-recording" of classic piano performances, the first being Gould's Goldberg Variations. While the case for the Gould recording was debateable (there were already good remasterings of his 1955 recording), this Art Tatum CD is of the greatest importance. Containing a few 1933 pieces, but mostly live 1949 performances, the chance to hear Tatum in great modern sound is mind-boggling. Simply some of the greatest solo cuts ever laid down by any pianist in any genre, and a must have for piano lovers.I don't even pretend to understand the technology behind the technology involved, but it seems to be legitimate in every respect, as the results demonstrate.

One can only imagine what treasures could be unearthed if these folks are able to continue---Hoffman, Paderewski, early Horowitz, Edwin Fischer--the list of possiblities is endlessly fascinating.

Strongest recommendation and my favorite of the year so far.

Posted on: 25 June 2008 by fidelio

old, thanks. i've had my eye on that cd. i have a friend who is a tatum completist, so he'll go wild for it it i'm sure. have the glenn gould. do they have other such products in the pipeline? fid.

Posted on: 27 June 2008 by Oldnslow

Zenph website lists only these two CDs. Probably is a very labor intensive process for each release and if the company keeps going I would expect releases to dribble out over time. Every time I listen to the Tatum I am mezmerized...note for Tatum lovers the "20th Century Genius" on , I think, Verve, is excellent, as is the first of the Storyville releases of a few years ago. The two famous Capitol recordings from '49 or '50 are in pretty decent sound too, but nothing like this Zenph Studios disc.