This box set comprises recordings from 1985-89, when Horowitz was 81 years old! In 1986 Horowitz returned to Russia after 60 years away to give his monumental Moscow recital of which the live recording is included in this set. I personally find this performance of Liszt's Sonetto 104 del Petrarca to be the finest ever recorded. Alongside this is Scarlatti, Mozart, Rachmaninov, Scriabin, Schumann, Chopin, Moszkowski, and Schubert.
Accompanying this recital is 5 other discs of outstandingly unique playing. As he got older, Horowitz's playing became a sort of caricature of itself in the nicest possible way. By this I mean, his dynamics became more extreme, he became more expressive than ever, and his sense of style was heightened to new levels. Horowitz's Mozart playing has been criticized for being too free and not in Mozart's style, but really what he did was fuse his own bombastic and honest personality with the elegance, fire, and beauty of Mozart's. The result is playing that is absolutely heartfelt and always interesting.
I certainly recommend this set to anyone with or without experience of classical music and piano playing. Horowitz's brand of fluent and genuine playing will appeal to all people of all ages and interests!
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helpful review, could do with more info for a higher rating, drop me a message if you update and I'll re-rate it.
daylehall 16.02.2007 02:54
Welcome to Ciao, I think that your review needs more information and detail for higher ratings. I find it useful to read and rate some other peoples’ reviews which gives you an idea of the sort of things you need to include. xx
RichPrice 16.02.2007 00:13
Sorry for the low rating, but I think that your Review needs a lot more information and detail to justify a higher rating. It helps if you write every product Review as if you’re writing for someone who has virtually no knowledge of what you’re reviewing, in clear non technical language. You might find it helpful if you read and rate some other peoples’ reviews (especially those that have been rated VH or E). It might give you an idea of the sort of things you need to include. It might also be helpful if you had a look at the Ciao guides to writing Reviews and Rating I found them really useful. If I can be of any help feel free to put a note in my gb. Rich