I am always in awe of musicians who make it to an advanced age. I am aware that Arturo Toscanini stopped conducting when his memory failed. Other amazing musicians ended their respective careers because performing involves hardship, aggravation, energy demands, and inevitable delays. And. then we have pianist Menachem Pressler, who is out with a new 4- DVD album.
Menahem Pressler – The Pianist
This amazing man entertains us with the following musical selections:
Beethoven:
Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110
Brahms:
Hungarian Dance No. 1 in G minor
Chopin:
Nocturne No. 7 in C sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 1
Mazurka No. 5 in B flat major, Op. 7 No. 1
Mazurka No. 7 in F minor, Op. 7 No. 3
Mazurka No. 13 in A minor, Op. 17 No. 4
Nocturne No. 20 in C sharp minor, Op. post.
Nocturne No. 20 in C sharp minor, Op. post.
Debussy:
Clair de Lune (from Suite Bergamasque)
Estampes (3) (Complete)
String Quartet in G minor, Op. 10
Dvorak:
Slavonic Dance No. 2 in E minor, Op. 46 No. 2
Slavonic Dance No. 15 in C major, Op. 72 No. 7
Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 5
Khachaturian:
Gayane Suite No. 1: Lozginka
Kodály:
Háry János Suite
Mozart:
Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K488
Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K488
Rondo in A minor, K511
Piano Concerto No. 27 in B flat major, K595
Rameau:
Les Indes galantes: Suite
Schubert:
Piano Sonata No. 21 in B flat major, D960
Winterreise D911 (excerpts)
Die Forelle, D550
Piano Quintet in A major, D667 ‘The Trout’
All performed by Menahem Pressler (piano)
At 91 years old, Menahem Pressler is currently the oldest active concert pianist. He is also a founding member and pianist of the Beaux Arts Trio and has established himself among the world’s most distinguished and honored musicians, with a career that spans almost six decades. When the Beaux Arts Trio separated in 2008, Pressler resumed his solo career and still continues to dazzle audiences throughout the world, both as piano soloist and collaborating chamber musician.
This 4-DVD edition contains concert performances with Berliner Philharmoniker, Orchestre de Paris and Quatuor Ébène. It also includes the award-winning portrait “Menahem Pressler – The Life I Love”
Here is Mr. Pressler in recital:
