Product Review

Leschetizky pupil Mark Hambourg, possibly recorded more than any other classical pianist in the years up to 1930, but today we find his flamboyant, often barnstorming, style very out of fashion and he has been ill served on historical reissues. This portrait focuses on more unexpected areas of his repertoire early music, contemporary music (several of his Debussy and Ravel recordings were recorded premieres) and rare encore pieces, the latter in particular revealing the lyricism, charm and bravura of this true romantic pianist. The opening track of Scarlatti arranged by Tausig is one of Hambourgs first recordings and dates from 1910. His final recording, the Rubinstein etude, from 1935, closes the set. Of particular interest is an unpublished recording of Ravels Menuet antique from 1925.