Some more Naxos titles to consider

Over the last week I picked up the first two volumes of historical recordings of Benno Moiseiwitsch at the piano. The recordings span from the late 20s through the early 40s. The transfers contain a pretty high level of noise, but as compensation the piano tone is excellent considering the vintage of the recordings. The playing, of course, is the reason to buy these discs.

Both of the first two discs (out of four available so far!) focus on solo works. The first volume has a quite enjoyable - hell, outstanding - Schumann Kinderszenen, some works by Brahms including the Handel Variations, and the highlight of the disc, Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. Despite the cuts needed to fit it to 78s, the performance is definitely worth owning. Spectacular control and phrasing are on offer. I enjoyed it as much as Byron Janis's version, and that's my favorite version. All told a great addition to my collection.

The second disc has a wide assortment of shorter pieces by a variety of composers. The badly cut Second Rhapsody by Liszt is still a joy, revealing playing of a different, more romantically inclined age. (Seems to me that is appropriate in Liszt.) The Liszt transcriptions of Wagner works are also superb. Do try to hear one of these discs.