This week’s episode of Between the Keys features Lili Kraus (1903-1986), one of the 20th century’s most compelling pianists and inspirational figures.
Like her mentor Artur Schnabel, Kraus specialized in the Austro/German repertoire, and brought a probing, dynamic spirit to her performances , informed by a quest for meaning and textual rectitude. In particular, her Mozart interpretations impressed several generations of listeners for its intensity of projection, angular inflections and nervous energy.
In addition to solo works by Schubert, Chopin, Bartok and Brahms, the program will feature Lili Krauss in all three movements of Mozart’s Piano Concerto in B-flat Major K. 456, with Pierre Monteux conducting the Boston Symphony Orchestra in a classic 1953 recording.