Josef Lhévinne performs Chopin - Broadcasts & Studio recordings from the 1930's

Broadcats (early 1930's)
0:00 : Prélude op. 28 n°17
4:12 : Étude op. 25 n°6
6:09 : Étude op. 25 n°11
9:38 : Polonaise op. 53 n°6
Studio recordings (1935-36)
15:36 : Étude op. 25 n°11
19:03 : Polonaise op. 53 n°6
25:03 : Etude op. 10 n°11
27:23 : Etude op. 25 n°6
29:14 : Etude op. 25 n°10
32:41 : Prélude op. 28 n°17
35:59 : Prélude op. 28 n°16

[@JamesVaughan]

His Études are especially amazing. I think his "Thirds" (Op. 25, No. 6) is simply the greatest I ever heard!

[@tobiolopainto]

This etude is played spectacularly played by Ignaz Friedman, who said he practiced it 1,000 hours before playing it in public. Moritz Rosenthal made an Ampico Roll that is amazing. I think there's a de Pachmann performance, too. They are each, including Lhevinne, the best performance of this etude I've ever heard.

[@alanbash2921]

Pure Gold .

[@oliviobertolini88]

The prelude is stuning

[@kniazigor2276]

Parmi les études de Chopin celle en tierces est jouée de manière absolument EXTRAORDINAIRE, surtout dans la version studio. La virtuosité à l'état pur mais toujours avec une grande élégance.

[@oliviobertolini88]

Op.25 no.6 with perfect control and balance

[@ziploc6354]

Clean, incisive, sure, fearless and passionate. The double-dotting, sparing use of pedal and half-pedal are remarkably modern. Sofronitsky is the spiritual descendant of this keyboard giant.

[@lunchmind]

He is unhindered by flesh and bone .Pure energy, especially in the op 58 Polonaise.

[@biegel88]

Just absolutely gorgeous playing. I wish I knew my musical grandfather, but through these recordings and the studies with his pupil, Adele Marcus, the spirit of Lhevinne was passed down the line. I am so grateful.

[@eddydelrio1303]

He (and Rosina) are my musical grandparents too, via Arminda Schutte and Santos Ojeda respectively!

[@biegel88]

Amazing!!

[@michsturge671]

It's interesting comparing the broadcast recording of the Polonaise with the later one. The later one is virtually note perfect but lacks the fire and abandon of the earlier one. I was fortunate to study with a Lhevinne pupil for around ten collective years between 1960 and 1974, who was an excellent pianists in her own right, Mona Redman.

[@barrygordon5323]

I like the general sound better on the later polanase ,the Petaling make a fuller sound on the main theme,he was a giant.

[@jackatherton0111]

Abram Chasins, a Hofmann pupil, wrote that compared with his master, Lhevinne lacked imagination and didn’t do enough with music. The public may have agreed but Lhevinne’s contemporaries, including Busoni and Horowitz, held him in awe, and not not just for his floating, supple, unfailingly musical technique. If you respond to the classical Chopin of Lipatti, Solomon and prime Perlemuter I think you’ll find Lhévinne to be at least their equal.

[@pianomelodies8356]

Treasure

[@richardrikkon5993]

Genius

[@MrInterestingthings]

Why wasn't he ever contacted for his concerto appearances . I met a man in Losangeles who heard him in chopin e minor said the sound seemed to float .

[@militaryandemergencyservic3286]

Lhevinne beat Rachmaninov and got 1st prize at conservatoire graduation, beating Rachmaninov to a well-merited 2nd prize.

[@sparkydogsparky2992]

Can anyone tell me if there is a recording of Lhevinne doing a Brahms waltz?

[@lunchmind]

Why would Lhevinne waste his time and talent on the drivel of an otherwise genius?