Witold Malcuzynski Plays Great Romantic Piano Music

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Music reviews of Witold Malcuzynski Plays Great Romantic Piano Music

Music Review: Malcuzynski great Chopin recordings in a low budget edition
Rating: 4 Stars

These great performances by Witold Malcuzynski of Chopin and Rachmaninov are actually the EMI recordings originally issued on LP Angel Records in USA. Fantasie in F minor, Op. 49 (1950), Sonata in Bb minor, Op. 35 (1962), six Polonaises, Op. 26, Op. 40, Op. 44 and Op. 53 (1960), Ballades Op. 23, Op. 38, Op. 47 and Op. 52 and finally Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 3 in 1964.

Jozef Kanski, a well known music critic in Poland and authority on Malcuzynski's art, wrote the following observations; "What ever may be said about Witold Malcuzynski's art one thing remains certain: it was unlike that of other pianists, indeed quite unique in our day. He did not overwhelm his listeners with a breathtaking technique, or with the mechanical precision of tricky passages. What we did find in him instead was a quality proper to the famous pianists of the past, a grand style in his approach to music. He did not concentrate upon details, but tried first and foremost to present a broad conception of the work, which was sustained by the richness of his own personality. This made his interpretations sound so free, natural and at the same time so logical. There was also in Malcuzynski's playing a poetic feeling which had nothing to do with sentimentality. There was an extraordinary individuality in his conceptions, a noble kind of musicianship, and a beautiful tone of exceptional power. All of this made for a real greatness which used to cast its spell upon listeners while rendering the questions of finger dexterity quite immaterial."

Witold Malcuzynski (1914-1977) studied piano at the Warsaw Conservatory of Music, first under Jerzy Lefeld and later with Jozef Turczynski. However, not having made up his mind yet whether to devote himself entirely to an artistic career, he enrolled at the same time at Warsaw University to study law and philosophy. Malcuzynski's musical talent developed more and more strikingly making him one of the best students at the Conservatory. He was very successful in his performance of Liszt's Piano Concerto in A Major with the Warsaw Philharmonic and later in June 1936 he was awarded the fifth prize at an international competition in Vienna. His unusual gift must have enhanced and reinforced by his contact with the great Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941), who having auditioned the young pianist at the request of Professor Turczynski, suggested that he stay for a few months at Paderewski's home in Switzerland, where he could prepare under his direction, a program for the 3rd Chopin Competition, where Malcuzynski eventually won the third prize. Afterwards he went to Paris for further study with Marguerite Long and Isidore Philippe. He was very fortunate to make his debut in Paris in one of the concerts given by the Pasdeloup Orchestra in which his performance of the Chopin F minor Concerto was enthusiastically received by the audience. The famous critic, Emille Vuilermoz, wrote after the concert: "This is a major revolution... The pianist is an excellent musician with an unerring tact, taste and intelligence. Caring so much for finesse and simplicity he serves the music instead of making use of it. His Chopin is neither mannered nor artificial... He is a great pianist and a true musician."

What was written by the famous critic in the year 1940, applies very much so to the present recordings. His performances for the Polonaises, the Ballades, the Sonata, Op. 35, and the Fantasie, Op. 49 are truly magnificent. They challenged the best of Artur Rubinstein for their nobility, poetic vision, grand style and virtuosity of the highest order. They are simply unsurpassed. The only drawback is the very modest edition without program notes and biographical information of the artist. The other very serious drawback is the heavily abridged recording of the Rachmaninov Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30. The original recording was issued first on LP in 1964 on EMI Angel 36197. For comparison I will list the timings on the LP as compared to the present CD edition.

The LP's durations of the three movements are as follows:
Allegro manon tanto 14'44''
Intermezzo (Adagio) 8'46''
Finalle (Alla breve) 12'51''
The present CD edition times are as follows:
Allegro manon tanto 14'45''
Intermezzo (Adagio) 4'46''
Finalle (Alla breve) 4'04''

There is no explanation as to why such severe cuts are taking place. This is a great disservice to the composer and its work, and it also spoils completely an excellent performance by Witold Malcuzynski and the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Witold Rowicki. It is indeed very unfortunate, because this recording, Malcuzynski's second and in stereo, (the first was recorded in 1949 with the Phiharmonia Orchestra, Paul Kletzki, conductor) which seriously rivals Vladimir Horowitz's famous recording, had to be so badly cut. The only hope remains that maybe EMI Classical record company, which owns all of Malcuzynski's recordings made outside of Poland, could be kindly persuaded to restore and issue the Rachmaninov and other Malcuzynski recordings on CD. The memory of this great artist fully deserves to be better remembered. On the other hand and despite all the setbacks mentioned this is an excellent buy. All the Chopin works are issued here complete and are five star performances in excellent sound. The price for the two CDs is very low and affordable for a budget minded music lover. Very highly recommended.

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