David Saperton plays Ravel "Scarbo"

[@chikunliao]

Dear gullivior: For once in a while, I still want to keep saying thank you again for your sharing of a lot of great recordings.

[@Fritz_Maisenbacher]

Thank you gullivior. This is priceless.

[@ThePianoFiles]

It's a WQXR radio recording from November 7, 1953. I have the complete Gaspard and just checked and there is the same memory lapse around 8:03... Great playing regardless.

[@hyramesshiramess1035]

I can think of at least ten others who have performed this beast with greater ease and fluency, but few who have captured the nightmarish quality and sense of menace quite so well. I can only applaud Mr. Saperton for the admirable sangue froid he displayed in recovering from that memory slip of which others have made so much. If one did not know the piece, it would be difficult to tell that anything went particularly wrong. It's the mark of a true professional to be able to recover, keeps one's composure and not let such a terrifying lapse spoil the rest of the performance.

[@kevinpollockmusic3646]

In spite of the memory lapse. Fantastic playing - great recovery.

[@supertortoise3000]

Must be an old recording.. Extraordinary. Thank

[@supertortoise3000]

Finally Ravel Gaspard de la nuit is more famous than the poems from what it orginates (everybody forgot).

[@Fritz_Maisenbacher]

This is no more "music" or "piano playing" ... this is a testimony about night. Nightmares. Or he could see something. Or hear it ......

[@pianopera]

It's interesting that during this memory lapse, some noise can be heard (maybe a chair is being moved at 8:16?)... maybe Saperton was distracted by something? After second hearing, I must say this interpretation is fascinating indeed...

[@pianopera]

Is this from a live concert? There is a huge memory lapse around 8:03... it's played with a lot of freedom and imagination, but overall I don't think it's very convincing, too many things go wrong...

[@supertortoise3000]

6:00 etc. : wow, frightening

[@chikunliao]

Despite some off spots, this is a very inspiring and interesting performance, I am wondering if you'd be kind enough to have time to upload the rest of the set, "Ondine" and "Le Gibet" ? Please pardon my request if you think it is rude.

[@chlebiceksmaslem]

what kind of creepiness is this? :)

[@paulprocopolis]

Describing this performance as "interesting" seems a bit like damning it with faint praise! Well, it does rather sound as though Saperton was not on good form that night, despite compensating flashes of brilliance here and there ...