Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Sonata for keyboard in C minor, K. 11 (L. 352)
2. Sonata for keyboard in G major, K. 14 (L. 387)
3. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Preambule in B flat major, Quasi maestoso
4. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Pierrot in E flat major, Moderato
5. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Arlequin, in B flat major, Vivo
6. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Valse noble in B flat major, Un poco maestoso
7. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Eusebius in E flat major, Adagio
8. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Florestan in G minor, Passionato
9. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Coquette in B flat major, Vivo
10. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Replique in G minor, L'intesso tempo / Sphinxes
11. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Papillons in B flat major, Prestissimo
12. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Lettres dansantes in E flat major, Presto
13. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Chiarina in C minor, Passionato
14. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Chopin in A flat major, Agitato
15. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Estrella in F minor, Con affetto
16. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Reconnaissance in A flat major, Animato
17. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Pantalon et Colombine in F minor, Presto
18. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Valse allemande in A flat major, Molto vivace
19. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Paganini in F minor, Intermezzo, Presto
20. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Aveu in F minor, Passionato
21. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Promenade in D flat major, Con moto
22. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Pause, in A flat major, Vivo, precipitandosi
23. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Marche des Davidsbundler contre les Philistins in A flat major, Non Allegro
24. Goyescas (Dandies in Love), pieces (6) in 2 books for piano, H. 64, DLR 2:4: Quejas � la maja y el ruise�or
25. Song without Words for piano No. 47 in A major ('Kinderst�ck'), Op. 102/5
26. Waltz for piano in A flat major, Op. 39/15
27. Intermezzo for piano in C major, Op.119/3
28. Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54: Allegro affettuoso - Andante espressivo - Allegro
29. Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54: Intermezzo - Andante grazioso
30. Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54: Allegro vivace

Disc 2:

1. Symphonic Etudes ('Etudes in the form of variations') for piano (2 versions), Op. 13: Theme: Andante
2. Symphonic Etudes ('Etudes in the form of variations') for piano (2 versions), Op. 13: Variation 1: Un poco piu vivo
3. Symphonic Etudes ('Etudes in the form of variations') for piano (2 versions), Op. 13: Variation 2: Marcato il canto
4. Symphonic Etudes ('Etudes in the form of variations') for piano (2 versions), Op. 13: Etude 1: Vivace
5. Symphonic Etudes ('Etudes in the form of variations') for piano (2 versions), Op. 13: Etude 2
6. Symphonic Etudes ('Etudes in the form of variations') for piano (2 versions), Op. 13: Etude 3
7. Symphonic Etudes ('Etudes in the form of variations') for piano (2 versions), Op. 13: Etude 4: Agitato
8. Symphonic Etudes ('Etudes in the form of variations') for piano (2 versions), Op. 13: Etude 5: Allegro molto
9. Symphonic Etudes ('Etudes in the form of variations') for piano (2 versions), Op. 13: Variation 3
10. Symphonic Etudes ('Etudes in the form of variations') for piano (2 versions), Op. 13: Etude 6: Presto possibile
11. Symphonic Etudes ('Etudes in the form of variations') for piano (2 versions), Op. 13: Variation 4
12. Symphonic Etudes ('Etudes in the form of variations') for piano (2 versions), Op. 13: Variation 5: Con espressionne
13. Symphonic Etudes ('Etudes in the form of variations') for piano (2 versions), Op. 13: Finale: Allegro brillante
14. Piano Sonata No. 30 in E major, Op. 109: Vivace, ma non troppo
15. Piano Sonata No. 30 in E major, Op. 109: Prestissimo
16. Piano Sonata No. 30 in E major, Op. 109: Andante molto cantabile ed espressivo, Gesangvoll, mi innigster Empfindung
17. Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110: Moderato cantabile molto espressivo
18. Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110: Allegro molto
19. Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110: Adagio ma non troppo
20. Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110: Fuga, Allegro ma non troppo
21. Cantata No. 147, 'Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben,' BWV 147 (BC A174): Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #212107 in Music
• Released on: 1999-09-14
• Number of discs: 2

Amazon.com
The famous images of Dame Myra Hess defying German bombs during World War II to organize National Gallery concerts or play in the shelters during the raids have become iconic for a time when music making really seemed a matter of life or death. But as integral a part of her time as she was, Hess also managed to distance herself from its penchant for extravagant, juicy, romantic style; she actually anticipated something of the "objective" stance to come from keyboard artists in the future. Her Schumann Carnaval--which has the earliest provenance (1938) on the set and was one of her own favorite recordings--sings its clarified beauties through the distractions of tape hiss with a marvelously clear-headed vision. Hess's limpidity of approach sketches a "Eusebius" and "Florestan" that are not frantic contrasts but surprisingly close in spirit, while Schumann's Bachian lineage is always in evidence (and just listen to her counterpoint in the two Scarlatti gems). Not quite so compelling are the sometimes too sober and controlled 1954 Symphonic Etudes, but a real treasure here is the highly regarded second recording Hess made of the Schumann Concerto (1952) under Rudolf Schwarz: exquisitely mellow and imbued with poetry. Hess was also a commanding Beethoven interpreter, with special insights into the late sonatas. The autumnal breath she weaves into the Opus 109, with its spectacularly executed trills in the quickening of the variations, makes this one of the lasting accounts. The set concludes with Hess's signature arrangement of the chorale from Bach's Cantata 147: sure, steadfast, of moving dignity. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews

Stunning musicality, one of the greatest recordings ever
Myra Hess was a master of expression and artistry, all of her true gifts shining through beautifully in this incredible CD. It is now one of my most cherished posessions- I find it both moving and inspiring.

Great Pianists of the 20th Century - Myra Hess
Myra Hess has an exquisite singing tone on the piano... she interprets each composer's selection with sincerity and beauty... What a wonderful collection of various composers! This recording is a must-have in every classical music-lover's collection!