Immerse yourself in the rich history and virtuosity of Wilhelm Backhaus with "The Complete Acoustic & Selected Early Electric Recordings." This meticulously curated collection offers a unique glimpse into the early career of one of the 20th century's most revered pianists. Spanning a wide range of classical masterpieces, this album features 67 tracks that showcase Backhaus's extraordinary technical prowess and artistic depth.
Recorded between 1908 and 1923, these performances capture the energy and passion of a young Wilhelm Backhaus, revealing a side of the pianist that is often overshadowed by his later, more refined recordings. The album includes iconic works by composers such as Chopin, Liszt, Beethoven, and Schubert, performed with a level of skill and expressiveness that has stood the test of time.
From the delicate nuances of Chopin's waltzes to the thunderous virtuosity of Liszt's études, Backhaus's interpretations are both historically significant and musically compelling. The collection also features rare and early electric recordings, providing a fascinating contrast to the acoustic performances and highlighting the evolution of recording technology during the early 20th century.
Whether you are a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a curious newcomer, this album offers a treasure trove of musical delights. With a total duration of over three hours, it is a comprehensive journey through the early works of Wilhelm Backhaus, offering insights into his artistic development and his enduring legacy in the world of classical piano.
2023 APR Ltd2023 APR Ltd
Tracks
Morceaux de fantaisie, Op. 3: No. 2, Prelude in C-Sharp MinorSergei Rachmaninoff, Wilhelm Backhaus
Liebesträume, S. 541: No. 3, O lieb, so lang du lieben kannst! - 1908 RecordingFranz Liszt, Wilhelm Backhaus
Scenes of Country Life, Op. 19: II. Norwegian Bridal ProcessionEdvard Grieg, Wilhelm Backhaus
Grandes Études de Paganini, S141: No. 3, La CampanellaFranz Liszt, Wilhelm Backhaus
24 Préludes, Op. 28: No. 1, Prélude in C Major - 1908 RecordingFrédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Études, Op. 10: No. 1 in C Major "Waterfall" - 1908 RecordingFrédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Suite No. 5 in E Major, HWV 430: IV. Air and Variations "The Harmonious Blacksmith"George Frideric Handel, Wilhelm Backhaus
Piano Sonata No. 1 in C Major, Op. 24, J. 138: IV. Presto "Perpetuum Mobile"Carl Maria von Weber, Wilhelm Backhaus
Fantaisie-Impromptu in C Sharp Minor, Op. posth. 66: Fantaisie-Impromptu in C Sharp Minor, Op. posth. 66Frédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I, BWV 846-869: Prelude and Fugue No. 3 in C-Sharp Major, BWV 848: I. PreludeJohann Sebastian Bach, Wilhelm Backhaus
The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I, BWV 846-869: Prelude and Fugue No. 3 in C-Sharp Major, BWV 848: II. FugueJohann Sebastian Bach, Wilhelm Backhaus
Études, Op. 25: No. 6 In G-Sharp Minor "Thirds"Frédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Études, Op. 25: No. 1 In A-Flat Major "Aeolian Harp"Frédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Études, Op. 25: No. 8 in D-Flat Major "Sixths"Frédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Études, Op. 25: No. 9 In G-Flat Major "Butterfly"Frédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Études, Op. 10: No. 5 In G-Flat Major "Black Keys"Frédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Concert Études, Op. 10: No. 12 In E-Flat MinorHans Seeling, Wilhelm Backhaus
Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16: I. Allegro molto moderato (Abridged)Edvard Grieg, Wilhelm Backhaus, Landon Ronald, Royal Albert Hall Orchestra
Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16: III. Allegro moderato molto e marcato (Abridged)Edvard Grieg, Wilhelm Backhaus, Landon Ronald, Royal Albert Hall Orchestra
Novelletten, Op. 21: No. 7 In E majorRobert Schumann, Wilhelm Backhaus
Waltz in A-Flat Major, Op. 42: Waltz in A-Flat Major, Op. 42 - 1911 RecordingFrédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Waltz in G-Flat Major, Op. 70 No. 1: Waltz in G-Flat Major, Op. 70 No. 1Frédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Waltz in E Minor, Op. posth.: Waltz in E Minor, Op. posth.Frédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Czech Dances, Book I, JB 1:107: No. 3, Polka in F major - 1911 RecordingBedřich Smetana, Wilhelm Backhaus
Sonata in F Major, K. 525: Sonata in F Major, K. 525Domenico Scarlatti, Wilhelm Backhaus
Sonata in G Major, K. 523: Sonata in G Major, K. 523Domenico Scarlatti, Wilhelm Backhaus
Hungarian Rhapsodies, S. 244: No. 2 in C-Sharp MinorFranz Liszt, Wilhelm Backhaus
Études, Op. 10: No. 12 in C Minor "Revolutionary"Frédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Moments musicaux, Op. 94, D. 780: No. 3 in F Minor - 1913 RecordingFranz Schubert, Wilhelm Backhaus
12 Lieder von Franz Schubert, S. 558: No. 9, Ständchen "Hark, Hark! the Lark"Franz Liszt, Wilhelm Backhaus
Études, Op. 10: No. 7 in C Major "Toccata" - 1913 RecordingFrédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Waltz in D Flat Major, Op. 64 No. 1: "Minute" - 1913 RecordingFrédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Waltz in D Flat Major, Op. 64 No. 1: "Minute" - 1916 RecordingFrédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Études, Op. 10: No. 2 in A Minor "Chromatic" - 1916 RecordingFrédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Études, Op. 25: No. 3 in F Major "Horseman" - 1916 RecordingFrédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Études, Op. 25: No. 2 In F Minor "Bees"Frédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
7 National Dances, Op. 82: No. 7, Polka in G MajorAnton Rubinstein, Wilhelm Backhaus
Soirées à Saint-Pétersbourg, Op. 44: No. 1, Romance In E-Flat MajorAnton Rubinstein, Wilhelm Backhaus
Hungarian Rhapsodies, S. 244: No. 12 in C-Sharp MinorFranz Liszt, Wilhelm Backhaus
Variations on a Theme by Paganini, Op. 35: Variations on a Theme by Paganini, Op. 35 (Abridged)Johannes Brahms, Wilhelm Backhaus
Études, Op. 25: No. 11 In A Minor "Winter Wind"Frédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Polonaise in A Major, Op. 40 No. 1 "Military": Polonaise in A Major, Op. 40 No. 1 "Military"Frédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Don Giovanni, K. 527: Serenade (Arr. for Piano by Wilhelm Backhaus)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Wilhelm Backhaus
Widmung (After Robert Schumann), S. 566: Widmung (After Robert Schumann), S. 566Franz Liszt, Wilhelm Backhaus
La source: "Naïla" valse (Arr. for Piano by Ernő Dohnányi)Léo Delibes, Wilhelm Backhaus
Liebesträume S. 541: No. 3, O lieb, so lang du lieben kannst! - 1923 RecordingFranz Liszt, Wilhelm Backhaus
Polonaise in A Flat Major, Op. 53 "Heroic" (Abridged): Polonaise in A-Flat Major, Op. 53 "Heroic" (Abridged)Frédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Waltz in A Flat Major, Op. 42: Waltz in A-Flat Major, Op. 42 - 1923 RecordingFrédéric Chopin, Wilhelm Backhaus
Czech Dances, Book 1, JB 1:107: No. 3, Polka in F Major - 1923 RecordingBedřich Smetana, Wilhelm Backhaus