Eloquence Piano Library - Deutsche Grammophon Edition

Astounding debuts and legendary piano treasures on disc: newly remastered albums of 21 pianists from the analogue era, including many first-ever digital transfers in this limited edition (single pressing only) 22 CD box set. Before he became a Decca icon, Vladimir Ashkenazy appeared on DG in performances recorded live at the 1955 Chopin Competition in Warsaw. Their reissue here is complemented by a Rachmaninoff sequence with Ashkenazy's teacher, Lev Oborin. At the same competition five years later, Arthur Rubinstein was so outraged at the low placing given by his fellow jurors to the Belgian pianist Michel Block that he created a special prize for him on the spot, and DG responded likewise by issuing precious recordings of his live Chopin performances from 1960. Through the late 1960s and 70s, the 'Concours' and 'Debut' sub-labels on DG launched an array of pianists at the start of promising careers.A few of these musicians, such as Ashkenazy, went on to enjoy long careers. Some disappeared from the limelight, lending to their legacy on record both rarity value and a melancholy sense of potential left untapped. David Lively, Alexander Lonquich and Ewa Poblocka are still performing today, but their DG Debut albums have never been reissued on CD. Dino Ciani, Youri Egorov and Steven De Groote died tragically young while their careers were still in the ascendant. A few of these musicians, such as Ashkenazy, went on to enjoy long careers. Some disappeared from the limelight, lending to their legacy on record both rarity value and a melancholy sense of potential left untapped. David Lively, Alexander Lonquich and Ewa Poblocka are still performing today, but their DG Debut albums have never been reissued on CD. Dino Ciani, Youri Egorov and Steven De Groote died tragically young while their careers were still in the ascendant. *FIRST RELEASE ON CD *FIRST-EVER RELEASE 'Presentation, documentation and engineering are superb throughout, with informative notes by Mark Ainley (Westminster / American Decca) and Jonathan Summers (DG). if I had to choose one for my Christmas stocking it would probably be the Westminster box, although I would be tempted to push the boat out and get both.' International Piano 'Some of these recordings have not been available for the best part of 70 years better late than never.' Gramophone