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PAUL WITTGENSTEIN
Austrian pianist (1887-1961)
Here we have Paul Wittgenstein playing some extraordinary music for the left hand alone. Several of these recording were made very late in his life and one might feel they do not measure up to the drama and pathos of the legend. However, they are of immeasurable historical significance and a window into a performance style for which, in the cases of these particular works, we have very few examples.
The two operatic transcriptions are already difficult enought in two hand versions, and not only to play. It is no easy task to create a successful transcribption of an orchestral work for the piano, but to do so for the left hand in indeed daunting.
The Reger is a work conceived for the left hand, and as such lies much more naturally under the fingers.
And I save the best for last. Wittgenstein's performance of the Bach-Brahms Chaconne is particularly compelling.
Bach-Brahms Chaconne in D minor, BWV 1004 for the left hand
Donizetti-Leschetizky Sextet from Lucia di Lammermoor
recorded in 1959
Mendelssohn Song Without Words in E♭ major, Op 67~1
early 1920s Hupfeld piano roll
Wagner-Liszt-Wittgenstein Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde
recorded in 1959
Reger Romanza, Preludio e Fuga for the left hand
Ravel Concerto for the Left Hand in D major
Bruno Walter conducting the Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam
recorded in 1937
Wittgenstein playing the Cadenza
filmed in Paris in 1933
For those of you who enjoy murder mysteries, here is my first with a strong musical polemic as background
Murder in the House of the Muse
which is also available as an audiobook.
And this is the more recently published second mystery in the series:
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