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Prokofleff: Sonata No. 7, Opus 83 (DM 1042). This second of Prokofleff's three "War" Sonatas was only completed in 1942, and shows its composer at the peak of his skill as a piano writer. The grotesquely dramatic changes in mood and tempo certainly do not make for particularly pleasant listening but they reveal a highly ingenious and original style of composition. Vladimir Horowitz, who has introduced all of the "War" Sonatas in this country, does a fine job on music that is highly suited to his style of playing. The recording is good...
...Grande Valse Brillante in A Minor, Opus 34, is a waltz only by virtue of its three-four time; its tempo (lento) brings it closer to the dark introspective nocturnes and preludes. To Horowitz, however, a waltz must be a waltz; by speeding it up to almost twice its generally accepted tempo, he gives it a ballroom flavor it was never meant to have...
...Opus 22, an Andante Spinato and Grande Polonaise in E flat, a work hampered both by an episodic lack of coherence and by a certain shallow virtuosity, Horowitz's amazing command of keyboard technique, unfortunately combined with a lack of feeling and perception, becomes especially noticeable...
...Jordan Hall they opened the evening with Mendelssohn's Quartet in E-flat Major, which even the most fervent Romanticist must realize is among fervent Romanticist must realize is among Mendelssohn's lesser works. Written at an early age, (Opus 12), it could only have been picked of the Quartet because of its opportunities for technical virtuosity. In deed, Cellist Mischa Schneider, perhaps the most impressive of he four, makes the most of his opportunity. The second movement, a Canzonetta, provides him with a superlative vehicle for pizzicato and upper register proficiency. Violist Boris Kroyt gets his chance to highlight...
Ruth Posselt, in the Sonata opus 108, flung herself into the music (endangering the limbs of the 30 people sitting on the stage), turned the first movement conflict into one hell of a brawl, handied rhythmical complexities with fine spirit, and, despite an occasional aggravating tremolo and an E string that was always about to roll over and die, gave a satisfying and exciting performance of the piece...