Last Recordings: 10 Great Pianists' "Swan Song"

[maestrob]

1. Vladimir Horowitz. Horowitz's final recordings in November 1989, four (4) days before his death.
00:00 Horowitz - Bach/Liszt - Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen
05:20 Horowitz - Wagner/Liszt - Isoldes Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde

2. Glenn Gould. Gould's final recording in early September 1982, a month before his death.
12:00 Gould - Richard Strauss Sonata for Piano in B Minor, Op. 5: II. Adagio cantabile

3. Elly Ney. The recording is from 1968, I don't remember the exact date, but as I remember it was a few weeks before Ney's death.
18:45 Elly Ney - Beethoven Sonata 29 "Hammerklavier", Adagio

4. Walter Gieseking. Gieseking's final recording in 18 October 1956, eight (8) days before his death. I heard that Gieseking actually recorded a Beethoven sonata the day before his death and was unable to complete that sonata recording, but I have not seen that unfinished recording anywhere.
37:02 Gieseking - Chopin Barcarolle

5. Wilhelm Backhaus - This is a recording from his last recital in June 28 1969. He gets really bad when he's on stage and he predicts he's probably going to die. He was hospitalized after the recital and died a week later.
46:20 Backhaus - Improvised prelude, and Schumann Des Abends from Fantasiestücke.

6. Emil Gilels. This is a recording from his last recital, in March 18 1984.
50:24 Gilels - Schumann Symphonic Studies, Movement I and II

7. Dinu Lipatti. This is a recording from his last recital, in September 16 1950. He was seriously ill at this time, he died less than 3 months later.
57:35 Lipatti - Schubert Impromptu in G-Flat Major

8. Benno Moiseiwitsch. This is a recording from his last concert in 6 March 6 1963, he died less than a month later.
1:02:38 Moiseiwitsch - Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 - II. Adagio un poco mosso

9. Konstantin Igumnov. These recordings are from the 1947 recital. He was seriously ill at this time, and he died than 3 months later.
1:09:55 Igumnov - Lyadov - Prelude in B minor, Opus 11 No. 1
1:12:30 Igumnov - Tchaikovsky "Aveu passionné"
Source of these two records: @pianopera

10. Sergei Rachmaninoff. Rachmaninoff's final recordings in February 27 1942. Rachmaninoff fell seriously ill shortly after these recordings and was unable to play the piano. He died about a year later.

1:15:17 Rachmaninoff - Schubert Serenade, from Schwanengesang ("Swan Song", D. 957 (arr. Franz Liszt)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Gj5Iv4-uvs

[barney]

Another brilliant post, thanks Brian. I just subscribed to this guy Guvenor's channel - so much fascinating historical stuff. Can't wait to watch this.

[Lance]

Brilliant, indeed! I remember the Backhaus recording ... and I, being a Horowitz fanatic, could not believe he died soon after his recording. These are all very fine/great pianists in the best sense. Interesting to learn these facts. I would like to find out what Artur Rubinstein played before his demise.

I've wondered, what will be the last piece of music I might hear? Well, if I had a choice, it would probably be Bach's Ich ruf zu dir chorale prelude as played/recorded by Edwin Fischer.

[maestrob]

Brilliant, indeed! I remember the Backhaus recording ... and I, being a Horowitz fanatic, could not believe he died soon after his recording. These are all very fine/great pianists in the best sense. Interesting to learn these facts. I would like to find out what Artur Rubinstein played before his demise.

I've wondered, what will be the last piece of music I might hear? Well, if I had a choice, it would probably be Bach's Ich ruf zu dir chorale prelude as played/recorded by Edwin Fischer.

Excellent choice, Lance!

Mine would be Schubert's Notturno to ease me into the Great Beyond.

[barney]

Brilliant, indeed! I remember the Backhaus recording ... and I, being a Horowitz fanatic, could not believe he died soon after his recording. These are all very fine/great pianists in the best sense. Interesting to learn these facts. I would like to find out what Artur Rubinstein played before his demise.

I've wondered, what will be the last piece of music I might hear? Well, if I had a choice, it would probably be Bach's Ich ruf zu dir chorale prelude as played/recorded by Edwin Fischer.

Excellent choice, Lance!

Mine would be Schubert's Notturno to ease me into the Great Beyond.

Also a great choice. I'd like my coffin carried out to the slow movement from the Emperor, to match the nobility and beauty of my own nature (ahem). But I've warned friends that when they enter the church, the doors will be locked and no one leaves until after 16 hours of the Ring. My final beneficence to them all.

[barney]

Finally listened yesterday, Brian. Wonderful stuff,thanks.