The Art of LUBKA KOLESSA
3CD SET: DHR-7743-5
The 1929 - 1949 recording Legacy
Recordings and broadcasts of one of the
20th century greatest pianists: Lubka
Kolessa (Lvov, 1902 - Toronto, 1997) was
performing extensively as a top-ranking soloist with the world's
major orchestras, with such conductors as Furtwängler, Walter,
Böhm, Karajan, Kleiber and Mengelberg. Her recording legacy
is presented now for the
very first time on CD.
Lubka Kolessa moved to Canada in 1940. She
continued performing in major centers of North America - including
engagements with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra - until about
1950, at which time she became Canada's premier piano professor.
Herself a student of three of Liszt's students (Thern, Sauer,
and d'Albert), her many distinguished students included Mario
Bernardi (internationally renowned as one of Canada's leading
conductors) and Clermont Pépin (a well-known Canadian composer).
Lubka Kolessa was a true GRANDE DAME: She
was immensely charismatic - on and off stage, and very beautiful.
Her unusual life story reads like a mystery suspense drama. She
was also an all-around scholar - fluent in (and a connoisseur
of literature and poetry of) seven languages.
One of the most
superb pianists of our time!
-Bruno Walter
Beethoven: Piano concerto No. 3 in C minor,
Op. 37
With Sächsische Staatskapelle Orchestra, Dresden, Karl Böhm,
conductor. Recorded 1939 (HMV-Electrola)
Mozart: Piano concerto No. 24 in
C minor, K. 491
With Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Max Fiedler, conductor.
Live Broadcast, April 28, 1936
Hummel: Rondo
Scarlatti: Sonatas L.104 & L. 396;
Mozart: Gluck variations K. 455; Romance in Ab major K.
Anh. 205
Chopin: Waltz Op. 18; Mazurkas Op. 7 No. 1; Op. 33 No. 1, 2, 3;
Waltzes Op. 70 No. 1 & Op. 42; Etudes Op. 25 No. 1, 2, 9
Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12
J. Strauss II (arr: Schulz-Evler): Arabesques on "An der
schönen, blauen Donau"
Schumann: Symphonic Etudes Op. 13; Toccata Op. 7
Brahms: Handel Variations Op. 24; Intermezzos Op. 117: No. 1 &
3
Recorded 1929 - 1949 (HMV-Electrola;
Ultraphone; Concert-Hall & private recordings)