Horowitz, Vladimir

Performer

Vladimir Horowitz (October 1 [O.S. September 18] 1903 – November 5, 1989) was a Russian-born American classical pianist and composer. His technique, use of tone color and the excitement of his playing were considered legendary. He is widely considered one of the greatest pianists of all time. Horowitz is best known for his performances of the Romantic piano repertoire. Many consider Horowitz's first recording of the Liszt Sonata in 1932 to be the definitive reading of that piece, after over 75 years and over 100 performances committed to disc by other pianists. Other pieces with which he was closely associated were Scriabin's Étude in D-sharp minor, Chopin's Ballade No. 1 in G minor, and many Rachmaninoff miniatures, including Polka de W.R.. Horowitz was acclaimed for his recordings of the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3, and his performance before Rachmaninoff awed the composer, who proclaimed "he swallowed it whole. He had the courage, the intensity, the daring." Horowitz was known for his performances of quieter, more intimate works, including Schumann's Kinderszenen, Scarlatti's keyboard sonatas, keyboard sonatas by Clementi and several Mozart and Haydn sonatas. Horowitz's recordings of Scarlatti and Clementi are particularly prized by listeners, and the pianist is credited with helping to have revived interest in the two composers, whose works had been seldom performed or recorded during the first half of the twentieth century. [source from Wikipedia]

Work

• 24 Preludes, Op. 11
• 6 Preludes, Op. 13
• 5 Preludes, Op. 16
• 10 Preludes, Op. 23
• 2 Preludes, Op. 27
• 4 Preludes, Op. 48
• 2 Preludes, Op. 67
• Sonata for piano in G minor, Op. 34 No. 2
• Piano Sonata No. 3 in F sharp minor, Op. 23
• Piano Sonata No. 9 in F major, Op. 68 - Black Mass
• Sonata for Piano in F minor, Op. 13 No. 6
• Sonata for Piano in F sharp minor, Op. 25 No. 5
• Keyboard Sonata in E flat major, Hob. XVI:52
• Pictures at an Exhibition
• 2 Pieces, Op. 59
• Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23
• Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30
• 12 Etudes for piano, L. 136
• Serious Variations in D minor, Op. 54
• Toccata in D minor, Op. 11