DGG 477 8049, Mono/Stereo, 59:34 ADD
Pianist Carl Seemann (1910-1983) already has a following for his recordings of the music of solo music by Mozart (sonatas, etc.), also put forth by Deutsche Grammophon [477 5856, 6 CDs, r. 1949-1954], which may now be somewhat hard to find, and of course, there are other recordings featuring the art of this brilliant pianist. Now comes some Bach in: a) its first release on CD; b) and all his Bach recordings on DGG. When first heard on LP, one critic wrote "Seemann's playing here is round and sonorous ... the real connoisseur will enjoy this disc both for its playing and recording." That critic was "right on!" It's a splendid recording and represents my own first hearing of this man's Bach in any form. The mono recordings were first published in 1953 and the stereo in 1959. Here's the program:
• Six Little Preludes, BWV 933-938
• Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 903
• 6 Selections from the Anna Magdalena Notebook *
• Chorale: "Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten," BWV 691 *
• Partita No. 1 in B-flat Major, BWV 825 (Clavier-Übung I)
• Toccata in D Major, BWV 912
* Mono recordings, March 1953; balance stereo, July 1958.
Carl Seemann, piano (possibly a Bechstein concert grand piano)
While many of us may have at least one recording we covet of all or some of these works, this answers the question (for me, at least) as to why we collectors want to hear other recordings of artists. Seemann's work in these pieces opens one's ears to a special clarity and tonal properties that bring new life to the music itself. While it is well near impossible or even practical to have everyone's recordings of favourite music, we pick and choose carefuily (sometimes from hip, as it were) and are either totally delighted or put-off. This disc is a delight from begining to end with some of the best DGG piano sound I've heard recorded on a piano that is wonderfully even and voiced beautifully.
Seemann also made a disc for DGG of the music of Igor Stravinsky. I'll put that subject up another time. In the meantime, if you don't know the name of Carl Seemann and love great piano music, check out his Mozart and Bach recordings! You will make some fine discoveries of a nearly forgotten art.
