Mieczysław Munz plays Scriabin and Ravel (1928 Homochord)

The sole 78rpm disc recorded by Polish pianist Mieczysław Munz (1900-1976): a 1928 Homochord disc (also released on Decca) featuring his readings of the Scriabin Etude in C-Sharp Minor Op.2 No.1 and Ravel's Piece en forme de Habanera. This transfer was provided by Tom Godell, to whom all thanks.
Munz was a superb pianist who trained with Busoni but his performing career was cut short by hand problems around 1941. He would teach in New York for 35 more years, until his death in 1976, with pupils including Emanuel Ax, Ann Schein, Felicja Blumenthal, and Sara Davis Buechner. He was revered as a teacher, with Ax stating, "For me, simply no other teacher was necessary."
This 78 is Munz's only commercial recording - astonishing given that he lived until 1976. Fortunately there are two broadcast recordings of him with orchestra - including what may be his last concert before retirement (these can be found on my channel) - and a brief solo broadcast performance. His playing here is, as in the other extant recordings, superb: beautiful tonal colours, impeccable voicing, natural timing, and sumptuous nuancing.
Here is his Mozart D Minor Concerto: • Mieczyslaw Munz plays ...
and his Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini: • Mieczyslaw Munz plays ...
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[@leestamm3187]

Another example of how the past is filled with forgotten artists. Thanks for sharing.

[@pianomaly9]

Finely crafted playing. Ravel atmospheric and evocative.

[@apricotcookie4850]

How is it possible to miss someone I never knew? His playing seems to reveal a soul so fine, intelligent, sensitive, that one longs to know him.

[@saltburner2]

Thank you for bringing this great rarity to our screens.

[@eduardoguardarramas]

What beautiful playing!!!! Deep into the soul. Incredible. Thank you for posting.

[@noshirm6285]

The Ravel is played gorgeously. 👏🏻

[@thesius313]

An outstanding pianist! Thank you for sharing this pearl.

[@davidmurray3327]

Very exciting to hear this!

[@JOSHUA-hs4zt]

Such natural playing. Beautiful singing tone.