The Complete Decca Recordings[35 CD]

The Complete Decca Recordings[35 CD]

• A concert pianist of such technique and enthusiasm Julius Katchen's dazzling career was cut short by cancer at 42

JULIUS KATCHEN: THE COMPLETE DECCA RECORDINGS.<br>35CDs CELEBRATING HIS 90th ANNIVERSARY OF BIRTH. <br>INCLUDING PREVIOUSLY UNPUBLISHED MATERIAL!<br><br>A genius signed to Decca in 1946 who defined Deccas piano sound in the 1950s and 1960s with ravishing cantabile and depth of sonority borne of matchless technique.<br><br>Complete Decca Recordings on 35CDs, including new-to-CD early recordings remastered from 78s, plus some of Deccas first-ever LPs. <br><br>Presentation includes 35CD Lift-off- lid box; notes by Cyrus Meher-Homji in English, German and French; rare photos and selected original covers in booklet<br>A child prodigy of startling promise, Julius Katchen matured into a pianist of broad interests and unique artistry. His death at age 42 denied a discerning public the presence of one of Deccas star instrumentalists during the 1950s and 1960s. <br><br>With this 35CD collection Decca Classics celebrates Katchens remarkable talent and unique virtuosity by showcasing his complete recordings for the label. It features his reference interpretations of Brahms solo piano works, thrilling accounts of concertos by Gershwin, Prokofiev, Brahms, Grieg, Schumann and Ravel. Recordings that were previously unpublished including Brahms Clarinet Sonatas Nos.1 & 2 with Thea King and Francks Prelude, choral et fugue. Rarities that are presented on CD internationally for the first time - <br>CD2: Mozart: Fantasia in D minor, K397<br>CD 11: Chopin Scherzo No.3 in C sharp minor, op.39<br>CD14: Brahms: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel, op.24<br>CD22: Brahms: Clarinet Sonatas Nos.1 &2 with Thea King (previously unpublished) <br>CD34: SAINT-SAËNS Le Carnaval des animaux Grande fantaisie Zoologique<br>(version without narration); Beethoven: Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor, op.13 Pathétique<br>CD35: FRANCK: Prelude, choral et fugue (previously unpublished); Brahms: Intermezzo op.117 No.1; Chopin: Fantaisie-Impromptu in C sharp minor, op.66 and Polonaise No.6 in A flat major, op.53; LISZT: Hungarian Rhapsody No.12 in C sharp minor, S244; Mozart: Piano Sonata No.16 (Allegro)<br>His exciting pianism was balanced by a depth of sonority and ravishing cantabile. 90 years after his birth, Julius Katchen is remembered as one of the greatest pianists of the 20th Century. Signed to Decca on 30 October 1946, Katchens early recordings were some of the first to be released as LPs. Equally at home with chamber music, he was also Pierre Monteuxs chosen orchestral pianist in his 1956 recording of Petrushka, a performance in which he clearly relished the interplay with orchestra.