Josef Hofmann - Chopin & Encores (2000)

Tracklist

01. 10 Preludes, Op.23: No. 5 Alla marcia in G Minor
02. Morceaux de fantaisie, Op.3: No. 2 Prelude in C-Sharp Minor "The Bells of Moscow"
03. Scherzo No. 2 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 31
04. Waltzes, Op. 34: No. 1 Vivace in A-Flat Major
05. Spinning Song, Op. 67: No. 4 Presto
06. Rondo capriccioso in E Major, Op. 14
07. Valse Caprice in E-Flat Major
08. Piano Sonata No. 1 in C Major, Op. 24: IV. Rondo
09. 10 Historiettes, Op.70: No. 5, Forest Elves
10. Troisième Étude de Concert, Op. 103
11. Piano Concerto in E Minor, Op. 11: I. Allegro maestoso
12. Piano Concerto in E Minor, Op. 11: II. Larghetto
13. Piano Concerto in E Minor, Op. 11: III. Rondo

At his best in the second decade of the twentieth century, these were the years in which Hofmann made the majority of his recordings for the Aeolian Company’s Duo-Art Reproducing piano. This release includes many of his popular encore-pieces alongside a performance of Chopin’s First Piano Concerto. A grand harvest of perfect piano writing, this concerto has retained a special place in the heart of concert pianists, though conductors have little to do. In this performance Hofmann includes the orchestral parts on the piano.

Piano roll ('Reproducing Piano') recordings from the early 20th century, replayed on a modern Steinway Concert Grand.