The Degenhof Sessions
Encores and Transcriptions from the “Golden Age”
Audio Player
Tracklist
- Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) / Wilhelm Kempff (1895–1991)
Vorspiel zur Ratswahlkantate
“Wir danken dir, Gott, wir danken dir”, BWV 29 (1731/1931) - Johann Sebastian Bach / Harold Bauer (1873–1951)
Die Seele ruht in Jesu Händen
Aria from the Cantata “Herr Jesu Christ, wahr’ Mensch und Gott”, BWV 127 (1725/publ. 1944) - Georges Bizet (1838–1875) / Leopold Godowsky (1870–1938)
Adagietto from L’Arlésienne Suite No. 1 (1872/1927) - Carl Bohm (1844–1920) / Leopold Godowsky
Still wie die Nacht, Op. 326, No. 27 (publ. 1889/1921) - Robert Schumann (1810–1856) / Leopold Godowsky
Du bist wie eine Blume, Op. 25, No. 24 (1840/1921) - Franz Schubert (1797–1828) / Leopold Godowsky
Ballet Music from “Rosamunde”, D. 797 (1823/1922) - Frédéric Chopin (1810–1849) / Leopold Godowsky
Posthumous Waltz in D-flat major, Op. 70, No. 3 (1829/1920) - Frédéric Chopin / Franz Liszt (1811–1886)
Bacchanal (Hulanka) from Six Polish Songs, S. 480 (1830/1857–1860) - Bedrich Smetana (1824–1884)
Polka de salon in F-sharp major, Op. 7, No. 1 (1855) - Adolph von Henselt (1814–1889)
“Si oiseau j’étais, à toi je volerais”
Étude caractéristique, Op. 2, No. 6 (publ. 1838) - Federico Mompou (1893–1987)
Canciónes y danzas
No. 1 Quasi moderato – Allegro non troppo (1921) - No. 4 Moderat – Viv (1928)
- No. 6 Cantabile espressivo – Ritmado (1942)
- Moritz Moszkowski (1854–1925) / Albert Ulrich
from Five Spanish Dances, Op. 12 (publ. 1876)
No. 1 Allegro brioso - No. 2 Moderato
- No. 3 Con moto
- Leopold Godowsky
from Triakontameron. Thirty Moods and Scenes in Triple Measure (1919/20)
No. 11 Alt-Wien - No. 19 A Little Tango Rag
- No. 18 Anachronisms
- No. 13 Terpsichorean Vindobona
- Johann Strauss II (1825–1899) / Leopold Godowsky
Symphonic Metamorphoses on Themes from “Die Fledermaus” (1847/1907) - Ignaz Friedman (1882–1948)
Marquis et Marquise, Op. 22, No. 4 (from Estampes, publ. 1906) - Dirk Schäfer (1873–1931)
Mainacht. Etude, Op. 3, No. 7 (publ. 1900)
Once upon a time ... at the heyday of the piano, between 1880 and the Second World War, when nearly every pianist was also a composer and arranger. The distinction between interpretation, arrangement, and composition is not always clear-cut nor decisive – the only important thing is the delightful effect of these gems for piano, which pianist Jacob Leuschner, who has been exploring the repertoire of this "Golden Age of the Piano" for decades, has recorded for his new GENUIN CD. The names Leopold Godowsky, Ignaz Friedman, Federico Mompou can be found there, as well as a premiere recording by the Dutchman Dirk Schäfer. These are intimate piano moments that, played enchantingly and without the noise of shellac records, nevertheless bring their era back to life before our ears.
MusicWeb International
"This is a wonderful recital, beautifully recorded and Leuschner is a communicative performer, clearly enjoying the opportunity to present pieces that have long been a part of his personal repertoire and to bring back something of the richness and variety of the piano’s golden age." Review by Rob Challinor, February 05, 2024
PianoNews
"Leuschner's idea of recording transcriptions and encore pieces by famous pianists from the end of the 19th to the middle of the 20th century is not only dazzling, but also quite instructive." Rezension von Helmut Peters, Ausgabe 1-2024
Amercian Record Guide
"Leuschner plays everything tastefully, with a warm touch and good expression." Review by Bruno Repp, issue January/February 2024