Immerse yourself in the masterful artistry of Gregor Piatigorsky with this comprehensive collection, spanning over five hours of exquisite performances. This seven-disc set, released by West Hill Radio Archives, celebrates the virtuosity of one of the most renowned cellists of the 20th century. Piatigorsky's technical brilliance and expressive depth are showcased through a diverse repertoire that includes iconic works such as Dvořák's Cello Concerto in B Minor, Op. 104, Saint-Saëns' Cello Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 33, and his own arrangements of pieces by composers like Bach, Beethoven, and Chopin.
The album also features Piatigorsky's own compositions and arrangements, offering a unique perspective on his musical genius. Highlights include his arrangement of Scriabin's Étude in B-flat minor, Op. 8 No. 11, and his own "Schelomo," a profound and evocative work that reflects his deep connection to Jewish music. The inclusion of Richard Strauss' "Don Quixote" and Camille Saint-Saëns' "The Swan" from "Carnival of the Animals" further enriches the collection, demonstrating Piatigorsky's versatility and mastery of various musical styles.
This meticulously curated set not only pays tribute to Piatigorsky's extraordinary talent but also serves as an invaluable resource for classical music enthusiasts. The accompanying DVD adds an extra dimension, providing visual insights into Piatigorsky's performances and his enduring legacy. Whether you are a seasoned classical music aficionado or a curious newcomer, this album offers a rich and rewarding listening experience, showcasing the timeless artistry of Gregor Piatigorsky.
2011 West Hill Radio Archives2011 (P) West Hill Radio Archives
Tracks
Cello Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 33Camille Saint-Saëns, Gregor Piatigorsky, Philadelphia Orchestra, Alexander Hilsberg
Cello Concerto in A Minor, Op. 129: I. Nicht zu schnellRobert Schumann, Gregor Piatigorsky, New York Philharmonic, Fritz Reiner
Cello Concerto in A Minor, Op. 129: II. LangsamRobert Schumann, Gregor Piatigorsky, New York Philharmonic, Fritz Reiner
Cello Concerto in A Minor, Op. 129: III. Sehr lebhaftRobert Schumann, Gregor Piatigorsky, New York Philharmonic, Fritz Reiner
Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85: I. Adagio - ModeratoEdward Elgar, Gregor Piatigorsky, New York Philharmonic, Sir John Barbirolli
Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85: II. Lento - Allegro moltoEdward Elgar, Gregor Piatigorsky, New York Philharmonic, Sir John Barbirolli
Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85: III. AdagioEdward Elgar, Gregor Piatigorsky, New York Philharmonic, Sir John Barbirolli
Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85: IV. Allegro - Moderato - Allegro ma non troppoEdward Elgar, Gregor Piatigorsky, New York Philharmonic, Sir John Barbirolli
Don Quixote, Op. 35, TrV 184: IntroductionRichard Strauss, Gregor Piatigorsky, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Alfred Wallenstein
Don Quixote, Op. 35, TrV 184: Theme. MassigRichard Strauss, Gregor Piatigorsky, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Alfred Wallenstein
Don Quixote, Op. 35, TrV 184: Variation 1: Das Abenteur mit den Windmuhlen -Richard Strauss, Gregor Piatigorsky, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Alfred Wallenstein
Don Quixote, Op. 35, TrV 184: Variation 2: Der Kampf gegen die Hammelherde -Richard Strauss, Gregor Piatigorsky, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Alfred Wallenstein
Don Quixote, Op. 35, TrV 184: Variation 3: Gesprache zwischen Ritter und Knappe -Richard Strauss, Gregor Piatigorsky, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Alfred Wallenstein
Don Quixote, Op. 35, TrV 184: Variation 4: Das Abenteur mit der Prozession von Bussern -Richard Strauss, Gregor Piatigorsky, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Alfred Wallenstein
Don Quixote, Op. 35, TrV 184: Variation 5: Don Quixotes Wacht in der Sommernacht -Richard Strauss, Gregor Piatigorsky, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Alfred Wallenstein
Don Quixote, Op. 35, TrV 184: Variation 6: Die verzauberte Dulzinea -Richard Strauss, Gregor Piatigorsky, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Alfred Wallenstein
Don Quixote, Op. 35, TrV 184: Variation 7: Der Ritt durch die Luft -Richard Strauss, Gregor Piatigorsky, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Alfred Wallenstein
Don Quixote, Op. 35, TrV 184: Variation 8: Die Fahrt auf dem verzauberten Nachen (Barcarolle) -Richard Strauss, Gregor Piatigorsky, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Alfred Wallenstein
Don Quixote, Op. 35, TrV 184: Variation 9: Der Kampf gegen die vermeintlichen Zauberer: Der Angriff auf die Monche -Richard Strauss, Gregor Piatigorsky, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Alfred Wallenstein
Don Quixote, Op. 35, TrV 184: Variation 10: Zweikampf mit dem Ritter vom blanken Monde; Heimkehr des geschlagenen Don Quixote -Richard Strauss, Gregor Piatigorsky, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Alfred Wallenstein
Don Quixote, Op. 35, TrV 184: Finale. Don Quixotes TodRichard Strauss, Gregor Piatigorsky, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Alfred Wallenstein
SchelomoErnest Bloch, Gregor Piatigorsky, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Alfred Wallenstein
Cello Concerto: I. Massig schnellPaul Hindemith, Gregor Piatigorsky, The C.B.S. Symphony Orchestra
Cello Concerto: II. Ruhig bewegt - Sehr lebhaft - Im fruheren langsamen ZeitmassPaul Hindemith, Gregor Piatigorsky, The C.B.S. Symphony Orchestra
Cello Concerto: III. Marsch: Lebhaft - Trio (nach einem alten marsch) - LebhafterPaul Hindemith, Gregor Piatigorsky, The C.B.S. Symphony Orchestra
Variations on a Theme of PaganiniGregor Piatigorsky, NBC Symphony Orchestra, Donald Voorhees
Carnival of the Animals, R. 125: Carnival of the Animals: XIII. The SwanCamille Saint-Saëns, Gregor Piatigorsky, NBC Symphony Orchestra, Donald Voorhees
Allegro appassionato in B Minor, Op. 43Camille Saint-Saëns, Gregor Piatigorsky, NBC Symphony Orchestra, Donald Voorhees
2 Melodies, Op. 3, No. 1. Melody in F Major: 2 Melodies, Op. 3: No. 1, Melody in F Major (Arr. For cello and orchestra)Anton Rubinstein, Gregor Piatigorsky, NBC Symphony Orchestra, Donald Voorhees
Adagio - Rondo (Arr. G. Piatigorsky for cello and orchestra)Carl Maria von Weber, Gregor Piatigorsky, NBC Symphony Orchestra, Donald Voorhees
Piece en forme de habanera (Arr. For cello and orchestra)Maurice Ravel, Gregor Piatigorsky, The C.B.S. Symphony Orchestra, Andre Kostelanetz
Elegie (Arr. For voice, cello and orchestra)Jules Massenet, Jennie Tourel, Gregor Piatigorsky, NBC Symphony Orchestra, Donald Voorhees
6 Songs, Op. 4: IV. Cease Thy Singing, Maiden Fair (Arr. F. Kreisler for voice, cello and orchestra)Sergei Rachmaninoff, Jan Peerce, Gregor Piatigorsky, The C.B.S. Symphony Orchestra, Andre Kostelanetz
Cello Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 33 (Abridged Version)Camille Saint-Saëns, Gregor Piatigorsky, NBC Symphony Orchestra, Donald Voorhees
Sonata in C: I. Allegro ma non troppo (Arr. G. Piatigorsky for cello and piano)Luigi Boccherini, Gregor Piatigorsky, Ralph Berkowitz
Sonata in C: II. Largo assai (Arr. G. Piatigorsky for cello and piano)Luigi Boccherini, Gregor Piatigorsky, Ralph Berkowitz
Sonata in C: III. Rondo (Arr. G. Piatigorsky for cello and piano)Luigi Boccherini, Gregor Piatigorsky, Ralph Berkowitz
Sonata No. 5 in F Major, Op. 10, J. 103 (Arr. G. Piatigorsky for cello and piano)Carl Maria von Weber, Gregor Piatigorsky, Ivor Newton
12 Variations on "Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen", Op. 66: 12 Variations in F Major on Ein Madchen oder Weibchen from Mozart's Die Zauberflöte, Op. 66Ludwig van Beethoven, Gregor Piatigorsky, Lukas Foss
Cello Sonata No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 5 No. 2: I. Adagio sostenuto e espressivo -Ludwig van Beethoven, Gregor Piatigorsky, Artur Schnabel
Cello Sonata No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 5 No. 2: I. Allegro molto più tosto prestoLudwig van Beethoven, Gregor Piatigorsky, Artur Schnabel
Cello Sonata No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 5 No. 2: II. Rondo. AllegroLudwig van Beethoven, Gregor Piatigorsky, Artur Schnabel
Cello Sonata No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 38: I. Allegro non troppoJohannes Brahms, Gregor Piatigorsky, Arthur Rubinstein
Cello Sonata No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 38: II. Allegretto quasi menuettoJohannes Brahms, Gregor Piatigorsky, Arthur Rubinstein
Cello Sonata No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 38: III. AllegroJohannes Brahms, Gregor Piatigorsky, Arthur Rubinstein
Cello Sonata in A Minor, Op. 36: I. Allegro agitatoEdvard Grieg, Gregor Piatigorsky, Ralph Berkowitz
Cello Sonata in A Minor, Op. 36: II. Andante molto tranquilloEdvard Grieg, Gregor Piatigorsky, Ralph Berkowitz
Cello Sonata in A Minor, Op. 36: III. AllegroEdvard Grieg, Gregor Piatigorsky, Ralph Berkowitz
Cello Sonata in D Minor, L. 135: I. PrologueClaude Debussy, Gregor Piatigorsky, Ralph Berkowitz
Cello Sonata in D Minor, L. 135: II. Serenade - FinaleClaude Debussy, Gregor Piatigorsky, Ralph Berkowitz
Gregor Piatigorsky, the Russian-born American cellist, stands as one of the most influential and charismatic figures in 20th-century classical music. Born in Ekaterinoslav (now Dnipro, Ukraine) in 1903, Piatigorsky's journey began with humble origins, playing in cafés and silent movie houses to support his family. His prodigious talent quickly propelled him to the Moscow Conservatory and later to international stardom. Piatigorsky's career spanned over four decades, during which he was renowned for his virtuosic solo performances, collaborations with legendary musicians like Jascha Heifetz and Arthur Rubinstein, and his inspiring teaching. His recordings, from Walton and Shostakovich concerti to chamber music masterpieces, remain essential listening for any classical enthusiast. Piatigorsky's legacy endures through his extensive archives at The Colburn School, which chronicle his remarkable life and contributions to the world of music.