SHURA CHERKASSKY CHOPIN BALLADE NO.1 'LIVE' IN JAPAN 1995.

SHURA CHERKASSKY PLAYED CHOPIN'S FOUR BALLADES IN THIS RECITAL IN JAPAN IN 1995. HE ALSO PLAYED LISZT'S SONATA IN B MINOR IN THE SAME RECITAL.

[@seymourtony]

Thank you for sharing this recital, at which Cherkassky was 85 years old. He died only 9 months later, in December 1995. Shura was "truly beloved by Japanese audiences", gave annual tours there from 1988 to 1995 and was booked to play in Tokyo in February 1996; after his death his manager "refunded to the audience of the sold-out house all ticket sales, and presented instead a memorial of great dignity for 2,600 of Cherkassky's devoted fans" (Elizabeth Carr, "Shura Cherkassky", 2006)

[@petergolding5733]

This is an utterly wonderful performance in the style of the 'old school' by someone I was very privileged to have known well in the last 8 years of his life. His performances never ceased to amaze me, and his company was scintillating - whether we were at a concert or going to the theatre

[@piano345]

I met Shura 1975 to 1976. I adored his playing since my teens. Spontaneous, individual and unique. You were very fortunate to know him personally.

[@petergolding5733]

@@piano345 He was great fun to be with. I remember many happy evenings with him in restaurants. And I am forever grateful that he introduced me to Horowitz. If he hadn't taken me into the 'inner sanctum' in the green room after VH's recital at the RFH, Mrs. Horowitz would have thrown me out!!!!!

[@piano345]

@@petergolding5733 I can well imagine that. Wanda was a dragon who kept Horowitz in check. I had dinner with him and we went to the opera at Covent Garden. Electra and Carmen. Shura said the Strauss didn't have one decent melody in the whole opera. I miss his concerts very much.

[@seymourtony]

@Peter Golding That's so nice that you knew him. My grandmother Raissa Sisserman was a pianist from Petrograd who settled in London in 1923. In 1929, when Shura was 20, he lodged with her while on a visit to London. They remained friends until her death in 1988.

[@odilereneleau8557]

Exceptional and magic rendition !!! Thanks a lot dear piano 345 .

[@pghagen]

He must have been 85 or 86 years old here; Still amazing technique! Heard him in his last recital in Amsterdam okt. 95. A few months later in Dec.95 he passed away. I still miss this unique pianist!

[@piano345]

Yes, a master colourist of the keyboard. Heard him many times in London and radio broadcasts. He died in London 27th December 1995. Greatly missed artist.

[@BuckshotLaFunke1]

+pghagen I heard him play this in Utrecht, same year. Unbelievable playing.

[@kiatan300]

poetry

[@piano345]

Thankyou for your comments. Indeed I've read Elizabeth Carr's excellent biography of Cherkassky so I knew that he was loved in Japan and also America. He was also greatly admired here in the UK.

[@piano345]

Sometimes he could play a familiar work very straight. Other times he would bring out hidden voicings and textures. That was very much Cherkassky's style.

[@pianopill88]

Ten singers,,,,,not fingers. Amazing.

[@piano345]

True - a true cantabile tone was essential to Cherkassky's playing.

[@MusartJD]

Sooo true, this guy is amazing.

[@MrInterestingthings]

thankgod we have hofmann in this. i hope s.c. left us a recording he is not so very interesting here. the voicings were not surprising.the tempo was the most unusual thing about this but never mind everyone plays this and there are enough "interesting" or even odd recs of this.s.c. is still one of my heroes.

[@arahaat]

バラード１番に関しては余り上手い演奏とは言い難いと感じる。 すその長いズボンを引きずるような印象だ。