Description
FHR Remasters
Released as a 5CD box set and on all digital platforms: 27 June 2025
CLAUDIO ARRAU piano
The Ambassador Auditorium Recitals Pasadena, California, USA, 1977, 1981 and 1986
All recordings are first releases
CD1 [51:12]
13 FEBRUARY 1977
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770–1827)
1–3. Piano Sonata No. 30 in E major, Op. 109
Franz LISZT (1811–1886)
4–7. Sonata in B minor, S178
interval
CD2 [57:24]
Johannes BRAHMS (1833–1897)
1–5. Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op. 5
10 FEBRUARY 1981
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
6–9. Piano Sonata No. 13 in E flat major, Op. 27, No. 1, ‘Quasi una fantasia’
CD3 [63:58]
Robert SCHUMANN (1810–1856)
1–18. Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13
interval
Claude DEBUSSY (1862–1918)
19–21. Estampes
Frédéric CHOPIN (1810–1849)
22. Fantaisie in F minor, Op. 49
CD4 [71:31]
Franz LISZT
1. Années de pèlerinage, deuxième année – Italie, S161: Après une lecture du Dante, ‘Fantasia quasi Sonata’
18 FEBRUARY 1986
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
2–5. Piano Sonata No. 7 in D major, Op. 10, No. 3
6–8. Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major, Op. 53, ‘Walstein’
interval
CD5 [45:20]
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
1–3. Piano Sonata No. 26 in E flat major, Op. 81a, ‘Les adieux’
4–6. Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57, ‘Appassionata’
24 bit, 96kHz high resolution transfers by
Nathan Coy, Kabir Hermon and Geoff Willard from open reel tapes
24 bit, 96kHz high resolution remastering by
John Croft (Chiaro Audio)
Booklet notes by Jonathan Summers
Recordings released with approval from the estate of Claudio Arrau
Press Quotes
‘Height of his powers, particularly in the 1977 recording…. he has the most enormous sound in this series of recordings… some ferocious virtuosity… the Debussy is a miracle for me… precious and luminous sounds … ‘Les Adieux’ is precious, in the first movement… brings tears to your eyes.. such a fascinating reference recording’ (BBC Radio 3, ‘Record Review’)
‘These five CDs offer a true showcase and a rich glimpse into Arrau’s considerable musical talents… This release is also a valuable addition to the pianist’s The Complete Warner Classics Recordings’ (opusklassiek.nl)
‘Three recitals given by the Chilean pianist in the 70s and 80s are a feast of lucid and emphatic playing that hasn’t dated in the slightest’ (**** The Guardian)
‘Arrau’s many admirers need not hesitate’ (International Piano Magazine)
‘Indispensable!’ (jeanpierrerousseaublog.com)
‘Record of the Day’ (Artalinna/Artamag)
‘…good news that the sound quality is excellent across the years… finely produced and consistently enlightening set’ (MusicWeb International)
‘A very rare archival recording from the Ambassador Auditorium of Pasadena, California. It is a meeting with a true giant from the golden age of pianists. Arrau was an artist with magical energy. It is evident immediately from the first notes on the album. He captured Beethoven’s genius in such a satisfying manner… These vibrating elements that we hear before the theme comes back in the finale of Sonata 30 are out of this world, and yet Arrau seems to be their companion.’ (American Record Guide)
‘..the recording of these archives is of good quality, the difficult acoustics of the hall having been partially mitigated…. They highlight the pianist’s fine touch, which combines both depth and projection of sound… The sustained tension, the mastery, and the tightness of expression are a lesson in music: a lesson in conducting a development with eminently dramatic playing… what commitment and panache!‘ (ResMusica)
‘one can only bow down, upon listening to these recitals, before this inimitable art of the piano which invites us to rise to unsuspected heights.’ (Diapason)
‘…a mesmerising account of the Liszt’s B minor Sonata, free-spirited, dramatic, lyrical and barnstorming where needs be (the set also includes a stormy reading of Liszt’s Dante Sonata). This is the structure-conscious, big-toned Arrau we read about but don’t always hear on recordings… Experiencing great music as Arrau reimagines it is a rare privilege’ (Gramophone)
‘Warmly recommended’ (Fanfare)