Alfred Reisenauer was a significant pupil of Franz Liszt. However, the fact that he left no acoustic recordings has meant that he has tended to be forgotten today. He was in fact one of the most important pianists of his time, acclaimed both as teacher and performer, achieving directorship of the Leipzig Conservatoire.
The only remaining recorded documents of his playing are ten piano rolls recorded for the Welte system in 1905.
This work was recorded complete onto three rolls released in 1905, and is therefore a substantial example of his craft. This rendition from Ian WIlliamson came from an original file courtesy of Christopher Neave, derived from his Welte Mignon Vorsetser playing the roll onto his Yamaha Grand Disklavier.
Finally, the picture used in this video is an interesting shot of Reisenauer. He is marked on the photo seated amongst some of Liszt's other pupils. Front row - Saul Liebling, Alexander Siloti (holding the Dante Symphony), Arthur Friedheim, Emil (not quite yet 'von') Sauer, Alfred Reisenauer. Alexander W. Gottschalg Back row - Moriz Rosenthal, Viktoria Drewing, Mele Paramanoff, Liszt, Friedheim's mother, Hugo Mansfeld (also with the Dante Symphony!)
6 май 2020
