Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to The New Coffee Room. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
RIP Claude Frank
Topic Started: Dec 28 2014, 05:33 AM (198 Views)
George K
Member Avatar
Finally
http://slippedisc.com/2014/12/a-timeless-us-pianist-has-passed-away/
Quote:
 
Claude Frank, a pianist of timeless values, died today, friends reported. He turned 89 on Christmas Eve.

Nuremberg born, Claude reached the US in 1941. He studied there with Schnabel, his son Karl-Ulrich, and his student Maria Curcio.

He was a towering interpreter of the Beethoven sonatas and often appeared as a piano duo with his wife, Lilian Kalir, who died in 2004. Their daughter, Pamela, is a distinguished violinist and teacher.

Many consider his recordings of the Beethoven Sonatas among the best.

An anecdote from Prof. Greenberg: Frank was German-born in 1931, and his parents, seeing what was happening managed to get to Spain. One evening, and I don't remember the details, he and his family ended up at the US Embassy for a dinner. The ambassador, upon learning that Frank played the piano asked him to play something.

"What would you like to hear?"

Seeing that the young boy was a bit on the cocky side, the ambassador said, "How about a Beethoven sonata?"

"Which one?" asked Claude.

And the ambassador named one (I don't remember which), and Claude sat down and played it from memory. The ambassador was so impressed, he helped get the Franks to America.


A personal anecdote: I saw Frank perform about 8 years ago. He was going to play the Beethoven 1st piano concerto. Before the concert, there was a dinner, reception and lecture. After the lecture, a receiving line formed, and I got to shake his hand. I thanked him for coming to Madison, told him that I've listened to his recordings since I was a teenager, and was looking forward to the concert. This frail little man shook my hand, smiled, and acknowledged my thanks.

At the concert, he walked out, slightly hunched over, and sat at the piano. When he began to play, it was like fire came from his fingertips. It was a truly spine-tingling moment which I'll never forget.

RIP Maestro!
Edited by George K, Dec 28 2014, 05:36 AM.
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
Online Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Renauda
Member Avatar
HOLY CARP!!!
RIP maestro, although I am ashamed to admit I not at all familiar with his Beethoven recordings.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
George K
Member Avatar
Finally
The overall sense I get is that they are the recordings of a young man (probably because they are). It shows, however. Think of Gould's earlier version of the GOldbergs, and you'll get what I mean. I haven't listened to them in a long time, but as I listened to #8, 15, and the Hammerklavier this AM, that's what I was reminded of.
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
Online Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
jon-nyc
Member Avatar
Cheers
I have his Beethoven sonatas. I'm a big fan.

RIP Mr Frank.
In my defense, I was left unsupervised.
Online Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
jon-nyc
Member Avatar
Cheers
NYT obit:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/29/arts/music/claude-frank-pianist-admired-for-performances-of-beethoven-is-dead-at-89.html
In my defense, I was left unsupervised.
Online Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
« Previous Topic · The New Coffee Room · Next Topic »
Add Reply