Ernst Levy Volume 2

Forgotten Genius--Plays Haydn, Beethoven and Mozart

COMPLETE TRACK LISTING
LINER NOTES

Ernst Levy was one of the century's most remarkable musicians and yet, prior to the Marston release of Ernst Levy, Volume 1 (52007-2) in February 1998, few were familiar with his work. Levy's creativity and individuality did not appeal to the prevailing taste of the time when his recordings were first released in the 1950s, and consequently, his genius has only been appreciated by a small group of devoted admirers. On this two-CD set, Levy brings his unique interpretive skills to bear on four sonatas by Haydn and five by Beethoven. His readings are provocative and mesmerizing, leaving listeners with the impression that they have heard these familiar works for the first time. Marston feels that these recordings are important to preserve, for the benefit of both current fans and future generations. Hear the artistry of the musician Greg Sandow of the Wall Street Journal refers to as the "triumphantly rediscovered pianist."

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Track Listing
CD 1 (79:26)
Haydn:
Piano Sonata No. 31 in A-flat (Hob. XVI/46) 15:17
1. Allegro moderato 6:18
2. Adagio 6:43
3. Presto 2:16
1956; Unicorn Records UNLP 1036; originally recorded by Peter Bartók
Piano Sonata No. 47 in B Minor (Hob. XVI/32) 9:26
4. Allegro moderato 3:34
5. Menuet - Trio 2:59
6. Finale, Presto 2:53
1956; Unicorn Records UNLP 1036; originally recorded by Peter Bartók
Piano Sonata No. 60 in C (Hob. XVI/50) 14:49
7. Allegro 5:45
8. Adagio 6:36
9. Allegro molto 2:28
1956; Unicorn Records UNLP 1036; originally recorded by Peter Bartók
Piano Sonata No. 61 in D (Hob. XVI/51) 6:10
10. Andante 4:15
11. Presto 1:55
1956; Unicorn Records UNLP 1036; originally recorded by Peter Bartók
Beethoven:
Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, op. 57, "Appassionata" 21:48
12. Allegro assai 9:40
13. Andante con moto 7:06
14. Allegro, ma non troppo - Presto 5:02
1956; Unicorn Records UNLP 1034; originally recorded by Peter Bartók
Piano Sonata No. 27 in E Minor, op. 90 11:56
15. Mit Lebhaftigkeit und durchaus mit Empfindung und Ausdruck 5:21
16. Nicht zu geschwind und sehr singbar vorgetragen 6:35
1958; Unicorn Records UNLP 1051; originally recorded by Peter Bartók
All Tracks were recorded in mono except Tracks 15-16
All Tracks were recorded in Kresge Auditorium, M.I.T.
 
CD 2 (71:33)
Beethoven:
Piano Sonata No. 28 in A, op. 101 19:35
1. Etwas lebhaft und mit der innigsten Empfindung 3:45
2. Lebhaft, marschmä§ig 5:46
3. Langsam und sehnsuchtsvoll 3:14
1958; Unicorn Records UNLP 1051; originally recorded by Peter Bartók
4. Geschwindes, doch nicht zu sehr und mit Entschlossenheit 6:50
Piano Sonata No. 30 in E, op. 109 19:53
5. Vivace, ma non troppo 4:14
6. Prestissimo 2:35
7. Gesangvoll, mit innigster Empfindung 13:04
1956; Unicorn Records UNLP 1033; originally recorded by Peter Bartók
Piano Sonata No. 31 in A-flat, op. 110 20:46
8. Moderato cantabile molto espressivo 6:56
9. Allegro molto 2:15
10. Adagio, ma non troppo
Fuga. Allegro, ma non troppo		 11:35
1956; Unicorn Records UNLP 1033; originally recorded by Peter Bartók
Mozart:
11. Fantasy in D Minor, K. 397 5:13
1929; (1155-56) Sonabel 12028,
J. Strauss, II:
12. Frühligßtimmen, op. 410 6:06
1929; (1157-58) Sonabel 12029,
All Tracks were recorded in mono except Tracks 1-2
Tracks 1-8 were recorded in Kresge Auditorium, M.I.T.

Producers: Scott Kessler and Ward Marston

Audio Conservation: Ward Marston

Booklet Design: Takeshi Takahashi

Cover Photograph: The M.I.T. Museum

Marston would like to thank Ernst Levy's sons, Frank and Matthys Levy, his colleague Siegmund Levarie and his admirers Gregor Benko, Raymond Edwards, Donald Manildi, Frank Ledlie Moore and Gerald Morgan, Jr. for their help in the production of this CD release.