Leon Fleisher - complete Sony recordings

[Nick Armstrong]

I've rarely been so tempted by a 'big box' as by this retrospective on the extraordinary career of Leon Fleisher

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fleisher-Complete-Collection-Limited-Edition/dp/B00AL6SLQS

The extracts played on CD Review on Saturday were pretty compelling, I thought - rivetting Schubert D960, Brahms PC#1 etc with Szell, Brahms Piano Quintet, transcending some ropey recording and piano tone occasionally.

I only have the recent left-hand concertos disc, including an inspired Britten 'Diversions' with Ozawa...

Anyone else a fan of Mr Fleisher?

PS: I love the original 'LP sleeve artwork' presentation...

[pastoralguy]

I've rarely been so tempted by a 'big box' as by this retrospective on the extraordinary career of Leon Fleischer

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fleisher-Complete-Collection-Limited-Edition/dp/B00AL6SLQS

The extracts played on CD Review on Saturday were pretty compelling, I thought - rivetting Schubert D960, Brahms PC#1 etc with Szell, Brahms Piano Quintet, transcending some ropey recording and piano tone occasionally.

I only have the recent left-hand concertos disc, including an inspired Britten 'Diversions' with Ozawa...

Anyone else a fan of Mr Fleischer?

PS: I love the original 'LP sleeve artwork' presentation...

I love the original sleeves too, Cali. (Of course, you need a magnifying glass to read them but one can buy them for as little as 99p on eBay!) I've been buying a lot of these big boxes recently. Not least the Karajan 60s and 70's sets (although the 70's set is on it's way to the North Pole for Santa Claus, courtesy of Mrs. PG!)

I've just taken delivery of the Berlin Philharmonic's 100 years of recording set and it's a gorgeous thing. Yes, there are duplications but at about a pound a disc that's hardly a problem.

Go for it, Cali. (I also have a theory that these sets will increase in value as time goes by).

[amateur51]

My first-ever pre-order was this set Cali and I haven't regretted it for a moment. His concerto partnership with Szell is remarkable and so far I haven't found a dud recording or performance. Buy with confidence, I say!

Just noticed - it's Fleisher btw

[Nick Armstrong]

My first-ever pre-order was this set Cali and I haven't regretted it for a moment. His concerto partnership with Szell is remarkable and so far I haven't found a dud recording or performance. Buy with confidence, I say!

Just noticed - it's Fleisher btw

Oh wow... ok ammy.... nice sales patter!!

(Ashamed that I never noticed that there's no 'C' in his name..! )

[verismissimo]

I heard Fleisher play the Prokofiev 4th (the one for left hand only) with the LPO/Jurowski early last year. Wasn't bowled over (except by the exceptional orchestral playing).

But I picked up his set of Beethoven concertos (with Cleveland/Szell) on LP from Oxfam a month ago. First rate!

[LeMartinPecheur]

But I picked up his set of Beethoven concertos (with Cleveland/Szell) on LP from Oxfam a month ago. First rate!

I was nearly tempted by this LP set a few weeks ago in Midsommer Norton, but finally put off by the splitting of works across sides, and IIRC across LPs

So any interested Zumerzet boarders may care to hunt in a charity shop well down the main high street on the right, starting from the end with the big free car park with Sainsbury's not far along on the left...

Might have been the Sally Army, or close to it

[Barbirollians]

Fleisher's Beethoven and Brahms concertos with Szell are exceptionally fine and his Grieg/Schumann and Paganini Rhapsody are not to be sniffed at either .

His Two Hands disc recorded after his treated for his right hand problems is exceptional too.

[verismissimo]

I was nearly tempted by this LP set a few weeks ago in Midsommer Norton, but finally put off by the splitting of works across sides, and IIRC across LPs...

Bought mine in Chipping Norton, LMP. Spooky!

[richardfinegold]

I already have many of the recordings so I will skip this purchase. In many cases these recordings were my first entry to these works. The Beethoven and Brahms are especially fine.

[LeMartinPecheur]

Bought mine in Chipping Norton, LMP. Spooky!

Verismissimo: I knew you hadn't snapped up 'my' set in Midsommer Norton cos I can recall where their Oxfam shop was (other side of road, by Sainsbury)!

[visualnickmos]

Fleisher's Beethoven and Brahms concertos with Szell are exceptionally fine . . .

Quite agree - and they don't seem to show their age, either.

[bluestateprommer]

Tribute to Leon Fleisher in The New York Times, after his death today:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/02/arts/music/leon-fleisher-dead.html

[cloughie]

Tribute to Leon Fleisher in The New York Times, after his death today:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/02/a...sher-dead.html

A great interpreter of the traditional concerti and then for a long time grateful for the repertoire kindly provided for Paul Wittgenstein. Maybe Fleisher appreciated them even more than PW as he at the time seemed to complain they were too hard - LF’s subsequent operation and recovery of his right hand allowed him to successfully return to the full piano repertoire to much acclaim. RIP Leon.

(Hosts - does Leon deserve a separate RIP thread?)

[richardfinegold]

I heard Fleisher interviewed a few months ago on a syndicated radio show. He had some fascinating stories about recording with Szell. I had just listened to his Brahms Quintet yesterday with the Emersons. R.I.P.

[silvestrione]

His Beethoven 4 one of the best in a field crowded with great performances, IMHO. I'll have another listen to it later.