For this week’s episode of the ASCAP Deems Taylor Virgil Thomson Award winning program Between the Keys, the Classical Network’s Artist-in-Residence Jed Distler compiles an “ideal” cycle of Rachmaninov’s Preludes Op. 32.
“What I’ve done is to choose one pianist for each Prelude, without repeating an artist,” Distler explains. “The pianists span more than a century of generations, and represent different performing traditions and lineages. Of course one could choose different performances than those I’ve picked, and I’m not suggesting that my choices are quote-unquote the best. However, I can assure you that there are no weak links. And, of course, we do include the composer himself at the piano!”
In order of appearance, the pianists will be Dmitri Levkovich, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Sergio Fiorentino, Constance Keene, Vladimir Horowitz, Sergei Rachmaninov, Santiago Rodriguez, Moura Lympany, Claire Huangci, Benno Moiseiwitsch, Tara Bernette, Sviatoslav Richter and John Browning.
Tune in to WWFM.org for The “Ideal” Rachmaninov Preludes Op. 32, Tuesday night August 10th at 10, with a rebroadcast Wednesday August 11th at noon on Between the Keys, an exclusive production of The Classical Network and WWFM.org.