Chopin Etudes Op 25 No's 1 and 9 Wild Rec c1947 .wmv

Even though I was aware of Earl Wilds declining health, I still was not quite prepared to read of his death in the January 23 issue of the Los Angeles Times. The pianist died in Palm Springs California, where he spent part of each year before moving there permanently a few years ago. However, his appearances in the Los Angeles area were infrequent. I last heard him play in LA 15 years ago in a recital marking his 80th birthday. I recall that recital included a hair raising performance of Liszts Dante Sonata. The LA Times obituary refers to him as the elder statesman of American piano virtuosos who was often called the last of the great Romantic pianists.
Wild had a vast repertoire which included music from the Baroque to the 20th Century.
However, he became pigeonholed as a pianist who could only be taken seriously in virtuoso show pieces. Hopefully, his recorded legacy will eventually reverse that opinion. Wild was a master piano transcriber, a trait held in common with many other great Romantic pianists.

I had hoped that I would be able to hear Wild play once again. We have the recordings, but its not quite the same.

Видео Chopin Etudes Op 25 No's 1 and 9 Wild Rec c1947 .wmv канала Beckmesser2