Description
FHR Remasters
Released as a 3CD box set and on all digital platforms: 3 July 2026
JORGE BOLET piano
The Ambassador Auditorium Recitals Pasadena, California, USA, 1981 and 1986
All recordings are first releases
CD1
11 NOVEMBER 1981
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809–1847)
1–3. Fantasia in F sharp minor, Op. 28, ‘Sonate écossaise’ (1833)
Robert SCHUMANN (1810–1856)
4–6. Fantasy in C major, Op. 17 (1838)
interval
Franz LISZT (1811–1886)
Schubert Song Transcriptions
7. 12 Lieder, S558: No. 2. Auf dem Wasser zu singen (1838)
8. 6 Müllerlieder, S565: No. 2. Der Müller und der Bach (1846)
9. Winterreise, S561: No. 7. Der Lindenbaum (1839)
10. Schwanengesang, S560: No. 3. Aufenthalt (1839)
11. 12 Lieder, S558: No. 4. Erlkönig (1838)
CD2
LISZT
1. Der Tanz in der Dorfschenke, S514, ‘Mephisto Waltz No. 1’ (1861)
Encores:
Frédéric CHOPIN (1810–1849)
2. Nocturne No. 5 in F sharp major, Op. 15, No. 2 (1832)
Abram CHASINS (1903–1987)
Preludes, Book 3, Op. 12 (1928)
3. No. 2 in E flat Minor
4. No. 3 in B flat Minor
Moritz MOSZKOWSKI (1854–1925)
5. La Jongleuse, Op. 52, No. 4 (pub. 1894)
CHOPIN
6. Nocturne No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 9 (1832)
3 DECEMBER 1986
Edvard GRIEG (1843–1907)
7. Ballade in G minor, Op. 24 (1876)
Johannes BRAHMS (1833–1897)
8–11. 4 Ballades, Op. 10 (1854)
CD3
LISZT
1. Ballade No. 2 in B minor, S171 (1853)
Interval
CHOPIN
4 Ballades
2. Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23 (1835)
3. Ballade No. 2 in F Major, Op. 38 (1839)
4. Ballade No. 3 in A flat Major, Op. 47 (1841)
5. Ballade No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 52 (1843)
Encores:
Georges BIZET (1838–1875)
L’Arlésienne Suite No. 1 (1872)
6. III. Adagietto (arr. 1927, Leopold GODOWSKY, 1870–1938)
CHOPIN
12 Etudes, Op. 25 (1837)
7. No. 1 in A flat major, ‘Harp Study’
8. No. 2 in F minor
24 bit, 96kHz high resolution transfers by
Kabir Hermon 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 Jorge Bolet
Press Quotes
‘Two recitals from the 1980s that capture Jorge Bolet’s playing in a rewarding breadth of repertoire, reminding us that Bolet was at his most comfortable when performing in front of an audience… A Valuable addition to this great artist’s discography’ (Gramophone ‘EDITOR’S CHOICE’)
‘His consistently narrative style came into its own much better in public performances. In this respect, the interpretations of the Brahms ballads in this set—with their highly personal narrative style—must be described as absolutely captivating.’ (**** Pizzicato)
‘…they reveal Bolet playing with a freedom and spontaneity that’s rarer in the studio recordings from this last decade of his career… cheered to to the rafters by the audience, all excellent examples, and the encores are here as well…’ (BBC Radio 3 ‘Record Review’)
‘Given that the concerts were originally recorded on open-reel tapes, the 24-bit/96 kHz transfer and remastering by Kabir Hermon and John Croft is impressive. The fidelity of Bolet’s playing comes across cleanly, as does the character of the instrument. Hearing archival recordings with this much clarity is a rare pleasure, especially from a legend of the twentieth century.’ (The Classic Review)