The melody is clear and precise like the graceful movement of the swan, where the accompaniment is the pattering raindrops falling (cascading) from the flurry of wings. This is a dream like interpretation.
i consider myself blessed to have heard him many times in recital and concerto in NYC and I got to know him a bit when working at the Hotel Pierre where he always stayed when in the city
La plus belle performane de lcette transription de Godowsky, de Shura cherkassky et, aussi de toutes pianists. Merci, d´es une preciosité. Je oblié de dire: Cherkassky est un de plus grandes pianistes que j´a déja ecouté.
This must be one of the best performances on solo piano fpr this melody written by Camille-Saint-Saens. I'm sure if she was alive today, she would give you a standing ovation Sir! Your rendition, absolutely transport one to the life of the swan and what the composer had in mind when composing this piece. Thank you for sharing your performance with us on the web!
After Horowitz passed on, this pianist I believe had the most flexible tonal control. I think Stephen Hough's approach to color might've been inspired by Cherkassky. I heard him over a 30 year period, starting in the early 60s, playing this piece.
IMHO, After Horowitz died, it was Ivan Moravec who had the most flexible tonal control, no offense, I adore recordings by Cherkassky... now, since Moravec has passed away a few years ago, it is undoubtedly Grigory Sokolov who has the largest variety of colors as well as a limitless technique and imagination
A lesson for all would be pianists in producing a full cantabile tone from the instrument. Cherkassky was to die from heart disease just a few months later.
Music at this level of virtuosity is inmany ways personal preference isnt it? In this case its pure genius and with others, preference. Horowitz was unquestionably on of the greatest but I did not like ALL his renditions. His interpretation of the Grande Polonaise in E flat major is to me like Shura's interpretation of the Swan
