Now playing, CD 9: Claude Debussy – Suite bergamasque – Rêverie – Valse romantique – Nocturne for Piano in D flat major – Tarentelle styrienne "Danse" – Ballade slave – D'un cahier d'esquisses – L'isle joyeuse, Masques, Le petit negre, La plus que lente, Berceuse heroique — Walter Gieseking (piano) (Documents)
Tonal Wizard is an apt descriptor for this pianist. After seeing your post, I finally compared his pre and post war Debussy recordings and despite the added noise, found more tonal beauty in the former. I have the transfers for the GPOTTC series pictured below. His playing here is a bit more youthful than the post war recordings.
Now playing the following CD from my Brahms collection for a second listen. Misha Dichter was a reasonably well-known pianist during the 70's and early 80's on the Philips label but has largely limited himself to giving concerts or recitals over the past two decade ... I last attended a recital by him one summer some 15 years ago at the Caramoor, located in the Westchester County in NY ... pictures of the caramoor - Google Search : Check the place out for those members in the greater NY area.
How do you like this SACD? I have all the Grieg's works by the Bergen Philharmonic and Ruud on the BIS label ...
Now, Vol.IV from this set: Piano Sonatas 12, Op.26; 13-14, Op.27/1-2; 15, Op.28. Recorded at the same venue in April 2005.
From the cover photo, my first thought was "late" as in "they died, and he's in mourning." The next thought that popped into my head was "late" as in "long day, and he fell asleep at the piano." I think I'm losing it.
