Back to some historic concerts this week. The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, conducted by their Music Director Gerard Schwarz and featuring the legendary Claudio Arrau, who joins thee orchestra in performances of the von Weber Konzertstück for Piano and Orchestra and Richard Strauss’ Burleske, for Piano and Orchestra. The Concert was recorded on January 30, 1982 by radio station KUSC-FM in Los Angeles at The Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena.
Other works being played: Haydn’s Symphony Number 31 in D “Horn Signal” and ending the concert will be Bizet’s Symphony in C.
Claudio Arrau had a long and celebrated career spanning several decades was celebrated for his interpretations of the classics as well as his interest in 20th century works. He began his career at the age of 5 playing a concert of Beethoven Piano Sonatas which he had been familiar with since age 4. By the 1930s, he was acknowledged as being one of the leading authorities on the Piano music of Beethoven.
In addition to a phenomenal career over the years he also had an astonishing recorded output, one which went as far back as the earliest days of the 78. He gave an estimated 120 concerts per year between the ages of 40-60. It was estimated that Claudio Arrau’s entire repertoire would extend to some 76 recital evening worth of playing. No small feat.
Gerard Schwarz has been a fixture on the podium since the late 1960s. He became Music Director of the L.A. Chamber Orchestra in 1978 and held the post until 1986. Since then he has been guest conductor with just about every symphony orchestra in the world and has recorded with almost all of them at one time or another.
Good solid music making this week – with a legend at the keyboard and an orchestra in top form.
Does it get any better? Methinks not.
Enjoy.
