Menahem Pressler plays Music for Children of Bartok

Bartok's series of Music for Children contains deceptively simple but imaginative music nonetheless. From MGM E3047, the great Menahem Pressler performs the 39 Pieces based on Slovak folksongs. Now to find volume 1 containing the Hungarian folksongs!

It's a shame that more pianists don't have a go at this genre. I suppose some turn their noses up at the brevity and apparent ease of the writing. It's not virtuoso music and will not have them standing in the aisles. Yet, the charm of these miniatures is that they will bring a smile to the face and your mind will wander, in a positive, childlike way.

What a great artist Menahem Pressler is! Tasteful, immaculately prepared, serious in that he did not approach these pieces in a condescending way. Marvelous!


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Menahem Pressler plays Debussy

Here's some wonderful solo piano playing by a remarkable man, Menahem Pressler. Known primarily for his incredible 55 year tenure as the pianist of the Beaux Arts Trio, Pressler excels in the highly individual solo sound world of Claude Debussy. This MGM monaural record dates from the late 50's

When you think about it, 55 years of excellence in such an intimate ensemble as a trio is downright astonishing! Pressler was the anchor of the Beaux Arts Trio and during its run, this trio was probably the best and most consistently fine of its time. We think so highly of Pressler's work as a chamber musician that his work as a soloist is all but neglected. And its a shame because in Debussy, he is in complete sympathy with the writing and his artistry really shines out here. I would characterize Pressler's playing as clean, unfussy, honest and forthright. His tone is beautiful and fingerwork immaculate.

I will have more from Pressler in Bartok in coming weeks.

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Menahem Pressler performs Shostakovich

Here's a very refreshing find: one of those MGM releases with no album cover but instead having a circle in the middle to allow you to see what the program is by reading the record label.

All of you know that most of what Menahem Pressler recorded was in his role as the "anchor" of the famed Beaux Arts Trio. Scores and scores of definitive performances. However, Pressler did record as a soloist, from time to time, and that's what we have here: the Sonata in b and the fabulous first piano concerto of Shostakovich.

These are strong recorded interpretations. The sonata is beautifully realized and based on this record, I cannot understand why it is not more of a repertoire work. The slow sections are ravishing and the only problem with the lp is some record noise toward the end of the last movement that I could not remove, about 15 seconds of some pop, not enough to spoil this 25 minute masterpiece of musicianship.

The piano concerto features the famed Harry Glantz on trumpet with Theodore Bloomfield conducting the the "MGM Orchestra." Presumably this orchestra is made up of members from the NYPO and NBCSO however, it IS a small ensemble..very SMALL indeed! However, the performance moves along well and Pressler shines throughout, especially in the slow sections. The man really is a poet at heart!

Recordings date, I believe, from the mid to late 50's.

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