Solomon Cutner - Schubert: Piano Sonatas Nos.13 & 14 / Beethoven: Piano Sonata No.32 (2002)

"Solomon's wonderful performances of the great Op 111 ... is unfortunately spoilt by poor recording." So wrote the authors of "The Record Guide" in 1951. Well, here's a chance for music lovers to hear this wonderful 1948 performance half a century later in remastered sound. I reckon it is a wonderful performance, a little fresher in approach than Solomon's 1951 remake. The sound is acceptable, but don't expect much spread in the range of volume. Listening to Solomon playing the opening of the last movement, it seems incredible that a man sitting at a keyboard controlling hammers hitting strings could somehow convey such a sense of perfect stillness, repose, and peace.
Schubert's melodious, sunny A Major Piano Sonata can he heard on this CD in a hitherto unpublished stereo recording from one of Solomon's last recording sessions in 1956. The contrasting, bleak, A Minor Sonata, is heard in a 1952 recording not released until 1962 after Solomon had suffered a crippling stroke. There are physical difficulties for a pianist in this sonata. In the first movement's development section, he is required to play a series of chords which bring his hands into the centre of the keyboard and then, in a flash, repeat the series beginning at the two extremes of the keyboard (at 6 minutes 12 seconds). Most pianist play safe, and pause slightly in order to avoid mis-hitting the outer chords, but Solomon contrives to keep the tempo steady and to hit all the right notes.
The Testament label is gradually re-releasing all the precious recordings made by Solomon.