Orchestre National de l’ORTF, conducted by Jean Martinon with Vlado Perlemuter, piano – Recorded March 22, 1956 – Radio France/INA Archives –
Even though this year has been filled with great festivals and great artists, the real gems several summers ago of radio listening had to be the series which Radio France Musique produced between July and August of 2013, featuring Orchestre National de l’ORTF in some classic and milestone performances by some of the greatest musicians of the 20th century.
One of those concerts featured the legendary conductor Jean Martinon, joined by pianist Vlado Perlemuter in music of Beethoven and Stravinsky. It was originally recorded by ORTF on March 22, 1956 and has been preserved by that keeper of national treasures INA in Paris.
Since the concert is somewhat short, it’s all on one player. And this is what’s on it.
1.Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
Concerto n°3 en ut mineur pour piano et orchestre op.37
Vlado Perlemuter, piano
Orchestre national de l’ORTF, dir. Jean Martinon
2. Igor STRAVINSKY
Le sacre du printemps
Orchestre national de l’ORTF, dir. Jean Martinon
(Archive INA /Enreg : 22/03/1956)
Vlado Perlemuter’s international career spanned over seventy years. He recorded the entire piano works of Ravel, as well as those by Chopin, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Schumann and Fauré for Nimbus Records, as well as a complete Mozart sonatas for Vox Records. He returned to the Wigmore Hall in 1987 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Ravel’s death with two recitals comprising all the composer’s piano works; a feat he repeated at the age of 89, with a valedictory recital at the Victoria Hall in Geneva.
Jean Martinon was born in Lyon, where he began his education, going on to the Conservatoire de Paris to study under Albert Roussel for composition, under Charles Munch and Roger Désormière for conducting, under Vincent d’Indy for harmony, and under Jules Boucherit for violin. He served in the French army during World War II, and was taken prisoner in 1940, composing works such as Chant des captifs while incarcerated. Among his other compositions are four symphonies, four concertos, additional choral works and chamber music.
Martinon’s repertoire focused on the works of early twentieth century French and Russian composers. The premieres of his violin- and cello-concerti were given by Henryk Szeryng and Pierre Fournier respectively.
France Musique and INA are doing a service that has presented art in the best and most enduring possible light. I only wish everybody got into it. These broadcasts are essential listening.
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WOW !! Makes me speechless. Le Sacre was a difficult piece and feared at this time !!!!! Thank you so much……..