The Complete Josef Hofmann, vol. 7
Great Concerto Performances
Josef Hofmann was arguably the 20th Century’s greatest pianist. Hofmann combined unparalleled virtuosity with emotion, understanding, and spontaneity to create some of the finest piano playing ever recorded. This two-CD set, the seventh and penultimate edition of the Complete Josef Hofmann series contains long-awaited and legendary performances: a Beethoven Fourth Piano Concerto conducted by Dimitri Mitropoulous, a Beethoven “Emperor” concerto conducted by Hans Lange, and other concerto-movement excerpts from the Ford and Bell Telephone broadcasts. This set is a necessary addition to any piano-lover’s CD collection, and demonstrates the genius that is Hofmann.
Track Listing
| | | |
| CD 1 (69:42) | |||
| BROADCAST | |||
| BEETHOVEN: | |||
| Piano Concerto No. 4 in G, op. 58 | |||
| 1. | Introductory announcement | 0:30 | |
| 2. | I. Allegro moderato | 16:25 | |
| 3. | II. Andante con moto | 4:34 | |
| 4. | III. Rondo: Vivace | 9:40 | |
| Conducted by Dimitri Mitropoulos | |||
| 22 August 1943 | |||
| BROADCAST | |||
| BEETHOVEN: | |||
| Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat, op. 73 "Emperor" | |||
| 5. | I. Allegro | 19:46 | |
| 6. | II. Adagio | 8:04 | |
| 7. | III. Rondo | 10:43 | |
| Conducted by Hans Lange | |||
| 12 May 1940 | |||
| CD 2 (64:52) | |||
| FORD SUNDAY EVENING HOUR | |||
| BEETHOVEN: | |||
| 1. | Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat, op. 73 "Emperor", Third Movement (Rondo) | 10:24 | |
| Conducted by José Iturbi | |||
| 19 October 1941 | |||
| THE BELL TELEPHONE HOUR | |||
| BEETHOVEN: | |||
| 2. | Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat, op. 73 "Emperor", First Movement (Allegro) | 8:55 | |
| 19 August 1946 (Abridged) | |||
| BEETHOVEN: | |||
| 3. | Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat, op. 73 "Emperor", Third Movement (Rondo) | 7:49 | |
| 9 August 1943 (Abridged) | |||
| CHOPIN: | |||
| 4. | Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, op. 11, Third Movement (Rondo: Vivace) | 11:00 | |
| 31 July 1944 | |||
| 5. | Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, op. 21, Second Movement (Larghetto) | 8:55 | |
| 30 July 1945 | |||
| SCHUMANN: | |||
| 6. | Piano Concerto in A Minor, op. 54, First Movement (Allegro affetuoso) | 7:29 | |
| 13 January 1947 (Abridged) | |||
| SCHUMANN: | |||
| 7. | Piano Concerto in A Minor, op. 54, Third Movement (Allegro vivace) | 11:20 | |
| 14 January 1946 | |||
Tracks 2-7 with Symphony Orchestra conducted by Donald Voorhees
Produced in association with the Estate of Josef Hofmann
Producers: Gregor Benko and Ward Marston
Audio Conservation: Ward Marston
Photographs: Gregor Benko
Booklet Design: Takeshi Takahashi
Marston would like to thank Donald Manildi for his help in the production of this CD release.
Marston would also like to thank Dimitrios Antsos for computerized pitch correction and stabilization for CD 2, Tracks 3-7.