Yesterday I heard an incredible recital by Arnaldo Cohen. The program was:
Nepomuceno: Air from Suite Antigua, Op. 11
(1864-1920)
Gnattali: Valsa No. 7
(1906-1988)
Levy: Valsa Lenta No.4
(l861-1935)
Brahms: Variations and Fugue on a Theme
of Handel
Liszt: Sonata in B minor
encores:
Strauss/Grunfeld: Soiree de Vienne
Nazareth(?): ???
Moszkowski Etude in F major
The first three pieces are by Brazilian composers and were incredibly beautiful and relatively easy technically(anyone know if they are available in print?). The entire program was played with amazing technical and musical skill. The only thing I didn't care for so much was the Liszt since it seems like I've heard it so much and although I certainly don't dislike this work, I don't feel it can compare to the Brahms. The Strauss waltz transcription(to which he added lots of his own details, making it even harder) was incredible. I think I liked it more than any of the other famous Strauss transcriptions(3 by Godowsky, Schulz-Evler, Tausig, others by Grunfeld). And hearing someone play in a very small hall(I would guess it seats 300-500) is twice as exciting as seeing someone in Carnegie!
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