tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128313350896208689.post2163045376227759931..comments2023-12-17T17:38:28.723-08:00Comments on Jack Gibbons Blog: In praise of Wilhelm KempffJack Gibbonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10602761912626174216noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128313350896208689.post-76046979439269928542014-12-28T04:51:38.983-08:002014-12-28T04:51:38.983-08:00I was at that Festival Hall concert too, and among...I was at that Festival Hall concert too, and among those applauding for the very reason you cite. I grew up (in South Africa) with Kempff's recordings of Beethoven and, like another old colonial, Clive James, bankrupted myself at an early age by buying the complete sonatas. Time passes, new artists emerge, but starting a search on the internet for material on Kempff has reminded me what it was that I found so spiritual in his interpretations (in Schubert too, whose more obscure piano works he recorded long before they became fashionable). You will gather that I agree profoundly with your remarks, and am about to dig out my old Kempff collections (including the Great Pianists of the Century). I agree too about the regrettable artist-in-the-spotlight era. Well said, and thank you.<br />Stephen TaylorAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04546666653227082974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128313350896208689.post-88168522931585236612014-12-28T04:50:10.032-08:002014-12-28T04:50:10.032-08:00I was at that Festival Hall concert too, and among...I was at that Festival Hall concert too, and among those applauding for the very reason you cite. I grew up (in South Africa) with Kempff's recordings of Beethoven and, like another old colonial, Clive James, bankrupted myself at an early age by buying the complete sonatas. Time passes, new artists emerge, but starting a search on the internet for material on Kempff has reminded me what it was that I found so spiritual in his interpretations (in Schubert too, whose more obscure piano works he recorded long before they became fashionable). You will gather that I agree profoundly with your remarks, and am about to dig out my old Kempff collections (including the Great Pianists of the Century). I agree too about the regrettable artist-in-the-spotlight era. Well said, and thank you.<br />Stephen TaylorAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04546666653227082974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128313350896208689.post-81016999193953137332010-10-25T11:35:42.606-07:002010-10-25T11:35:42.606-07:00I think the warmth you mentioned comes out in his ...I think the warmth you mentioned comes out in his own lovely Bach transcriptions too, which are completely sans ego and all about the soul of the music. There's an OK edition available here (for others interested): http://bit.ly/aOh3sz.<br /><br />By the way - my 5 year old daughter has put your authentic Gershwin CD almost every morning since she put it on around a year ago. (I'm not exaggerating: it's the opening Swanee one she can't get enough of.) <br /><br />Finally, any more Alkan in the pipeline? (I did a post about him last month: http://off-shell.blogspot.com/2010/09/what-was-eating-alkan.html - though I expect you *not* to like the speculations!) <br /><br />Best,<br />DeanDean Rickleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07987400460309940583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128313350896208689.post-74599385902347445322010-10-16T16:23:58.677-07:002010-10-16T16:23:58.677-07:00How do I find out about Jack's concerts in WAs...How do I find out about Jack's concerts in WAshington DC?The Williamsburg Rebbehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17863679735957124883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128313350896208689.post-88787735245756652402010-10-16T16:23:05.675-07:002010-10-16T16:23:05.675-07:00I cannot make the Nov 15 Carnegie Concert but wond...I cannot make the Nov 15 Carnegie Concert but wonder if Jack has any Washington DC concerts in the next few months.<br />Marc Lee Raphae<br />October 16, 2010The Williamsburg Rebbehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17863679735957124883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128313350896208689.post-10480892986093366692010-10-07T04:01:51.722-07:002010-10-07T04:01:51.722-07:00I'd never heard of Kempff before, so thank you...I'd never heard of Kempff before, so thank you Jack for highlighting him. The Chopin recital was particularly sensitive. I read that Kempff composed a little also, but can't find any recordings so far.<br /><br />Definately agree with Oscar Wilde about the attitude (or lack of) required to be moved. There was an article in BBC Music magazine recently where John Harvey suggests amplification in concert halls and that people should be 'allowed' to move around and talk during performances. All apparently to persuade young people to turn up to classical concerts. As a young person, I'd veto all these things!.<br /><br />Good luck with your Missouri musical lectures, I hope you're enjoying life in the New World.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com