DHR-7994/5 (2CDs)
CHOPIN
14 Waltzes
24 Preludes, Op. 28
12 Etudes Op. 10; 12 Etudes Op. 25; Trois nouvelles études
Sonata No. 2 in Bb minor, Funeral March, Op. 35
Recorded 1928 and 1931 by Columbia
Contains all the known recordings made by the legendary French pianist Robert Lortat (1885-1938).
Lortat studied at the Paris Conservatoire with Louis Diémer (1843-1919} who is considered the father of the modern French piano school and who was the teacher of Alfred Cortot and Robert Casadesus. Diémer G&T recording of Chopin's Nocturne Op. 27 No. 2 made in 1904 is one of the earliest ever recording of Chopin.
Lortat, who won several top prizes and distinctions, toured France, Germany, England and North America playing recitals consisting of all-Chopin programs presented as "complete" in cycles of six recitals.
He was conscripted to the French army during the First World War and was a casualty of a poison gas attack causing chronic ill-health thereafter. His concerts activity was curtailed, but he continued mainly as a teacher.
His Chopin recordings (which are highly sought after by record collectors), being among the earliest such projects ever made, reveal a consummate, distinctive musical personality with authoritative style and fluent, well-controlled technique.