Cortot Last Concert: Cortot & Casals Beethoven Sonata op.69

Beethoven Cello Sonata No.3 in A op.69
1) Allegro ma non tanto
2) Scherzo 14:18
3) Adagio cantabile - Allegro Vivace 20:49
Pablo Casals cello
Alfred Cortot piano
1958
This was Cortot and Casals first (and last) concert since 1934. It was also the very last concert of one of the greatest wizards of the keyboard.

[@ryohagitani892]

Freedom is the quality that the two musicians shared.　They are above all free from the fear of error which so many classical music listeners care about too much.

[@JDTNYC32]

anyone who criticizes cortot's performance ought to remember he was practically legally blind at this point and had a vascular problem that caused memory and sight problems. aside from that it's a rather historic performance because casals and cortot didn't speak for years because of cortot's support of the vichy regime.

[@millriv1792]

I don't think most people understand the emotional context of this performance (aside from the fact that Cortot was well past his prime, to put it mildly). For years he had pleaded for Casals to forgive him for his wartime proclivities and so, in 1958, all was forgiven and Cortot invited to Prades to play with Casals - like an answered prayer for Cortot. I will quote from Robert Baldock's biography of Casals: "Cortot was deeply overwrought and found it difficult to play. After the first movement of the Sonata, Casals put down his cello and crossed to him for a further bout of emotional hugging, reassuring Cortot afterwards that his timing was far surer than that of the 'younger pianists': 'It is as if you had stolen a metronome adjusted by Beethoven himself.'"

[@rachelstarritt481]

cortot on a beautiful bechstein grand piano, the that has been the eisteddfod piano for years :) what a lovely golden tone with masses of clarity. cortot's human spirit makes it come to life.

[@lemenyves34]

The two of them are above 80. However despite some flaws due to aging, Casals's cello still has its characteristic humming tone, and Cortot's piano its old fashioned clarity. Thanks for posting.

[@hvspoedvink]

To my opinion Casals remains the greatest cellist I know; this sonata is simply amazing

[@pianomaly9859]

A wonderful, warm performance from these two octogenarian tigers. Thanks for posting.

[@DonnaSilvia]

Festival di Prades, 1958. Un concerto per la storia.

[@noemiamaria1430]

Thank you very much for uploading❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@hvspoedvink]

Casals is such an unique and "integer" performer; I never tire of listening to his cello.

[@tlandauerboat63]

Wish I had found this earlier! Amazing performance, both really know the work, one never gets the sense that's going to fall apart, it's like a test of how far they can drift on each direction but at the magic moment they come back together. WOW!

[@Ipoksel]

Hard for mechanical players. A soul is required.

[@CarmenReyes-em9np]

Gracias a Cortot poddmos tocar el piano ,corrigio las obras que llegaban con errores. 🎶🎹🇲🇽😘

[@judymorsink883]

A beautiful performance. thanks to u tube for providing

[@mimiswensen7309]

A great legendary pianist indeed. Performing with Casals especially were wonderful performances and recordings unlike anything in the 21th Century.

[@bvbwv3]

Simply amazing. As act of (re)creation on the highest order.

[@morinoroba]

Who cares about some small gaps between Casals and Cortot, musically and technically mature performance by two historical great musicians! Thank you.

[@berlinzerberus]

Wenn zwei solche Persölichkeiten und Individualisten zusammen spielen, denkt man nicht mehr an Perfektion, sowohl des eigenen Spiels als auch im Zusammenspiel. Man genießt vielmehr den Geist, der weht, die wunderbaren Details, die mal der eine mal der andere hervorbringt. Man höre nur auf die Durchführung [7:45], wie wunderbar der Anfang, wie sich beide Künstler antworten auf die musikalischen Fragen, die Beethoven ihnen stellt. Für diese Phrase müsste Cortot schon heilig gesprochen werden,ya!

[@Wavewolfaroha]

Oh yes, totally agree! This performance is fine example, and thank you SIMC for posting!

[@Blomhert]

marvellous and legendary teamwork