On an Overgrown Path

1st Series - A Blow-away Leaf. Andante


  • Recorded: March 1982
  • Record Place: RCA Studio A, New York, New York
  • First Release: 1983
  • (P) 1983 Nonesuch Records
  • Genre: Classical

Artists

  • music by: Leoš Janáček
  • piano: Ivan Moravec

Album

Ivan Moravec

Ivan Moravec - Portrait

Catalogue Number: SU 4290-2
Published: 23rd October 2020
Genre: Classical
Format: 11 CD, 1 DVD
This album has received following awards:
  • Joker Absolu, Crescendo Magazine (2020)
  • Diapason d´Or, Diapason Magazine (2021)
Ivan Moravec - piano. Czech Philharmonic / Karel Ančerl, Josef Vlach, Václav Neumann. Czech Chamber Orchestra / Josef Vlach - Musikverein Wien Orchester / Martin Turnovský - Dallas Symphony Orchestra / Eduardo Mata. Saša Večtomov - cello

When a 2CD volume featuring Ivan Moravec was included in the 1999 "Great pianists of the 20th Century" box set (Philips Records), many a music lover was taken aback. Although Americans knew the Czech artist, owing mainly to the Connoisseur Society, a lot of European listeners and critics had overlooked him - yet the recordings contained in the edition certainly attested to Moravec being a pianist of global calibre. Repertoire magazine referred to him as the "most closely guarded secret of the classical music world". The 90th anniversary of Ivan Moravec's birth is a very good reason to for come up with a special project. The most complete collection of his recordings to date, the present Supraphon release encompasses 11 CDs and a DVD with a documentary and unique, previously unseen footage from the Czech Television archives. Moravec recorded his core repertoire for the Connoisseur Society, Supraphon, Dorian, Nonesuch and Vox labels. Some of his recordings are now being released on CD for the first time. A number of older recordings have been remastered from the original analogue tapes. The set includes the complete Moravec repertoire of Beethoven, Schumann, Debussy, solo Franck, Janáček and Chopin's Mazurkas. The booklet provides an exhaustive account of one of the greatest 20th-century pianist's artistic development, from the early 1960s to the end of the millennium. Most significantly, the release affords the listener the opportunity to revel in the music that - due to its sheer profundity, myriad colour shades and irresistibly personal delivery - touches one's very heart.

A portrait of a great artist.

Reviews

“Ivan Moravec’s subtle musicianship and cultivated virtuosity are known quantities to Classicstoday.com readers… It’s not surprising to see how Moravec achieves his magic with outward calm, concentration, and physical economy… It’s a musical treasure chest.”
ClassicsToday.com, November 2020

“Dans son jeu, il a constamment mis en évidence la parenté entre ces trois compositeurs (Chopin, Schumann, Debussy): il en traduit subtilement la poésie, par une extraordinaire transparence du toucher qui tient du miracle, et que si peu de virtuoses possèdent; il est l’interprète idéal de ces pages dans les sonorités si diversement nuancées, et plus encore dans la justesse de ses phrasés.”
Crescendo, December 2020

“A truly fabulous set, then, one that will edify, stimulate and satisfy.”
Gramophone, January 2021

“Chopin’s music becomes the greatest art under Moravec’s fingers. Leos Janacek’s idi­osyncratic works are presented here in absolute reference recordings, as are César Franck’s Prélude, choral et fugue and Debussy’s Images, Estampes, Children’s Corner or Préludes, works that it is hard to play better, more beautifully or more clearly… For the Beethoven, Debussy and Chopin recordings alone, this Moravec box, produced in excellent sound quality, belongs on every CD shelf.”
Pizzicato, January 2021

“The subtlety of his pedalling was the perfect complement to the richness and beauty of his tone. And his own description of his objectives in performance speaks volumes: ‚The ideal mental or inner position of a player is to play as somebody else would play for you.‘ In other words, with a compulsion to communicate. This 11-CD set reveals his brilliance with the composers whose music most requires this approach: Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy, Franck, and Ravel.”
The Independent*****, January 2021

“Moravec’s Chopin at last realizes all expectations. His playing is majestic and exultant and wholly satisfying; playing unequalled that I know of… Moravec, as may have been expected, is a master of Schumann and Brahms… A first-class package not to be overlooked.”
The Whole Note, February 2021

“Moravec strahlt in jeder Note die Lebendigkeit von Mozarts Schreibweise aus, vermag jede Note so nuancenreich zu gestalten, sodass das Gesanglich- Sprachliche in dieser Musik deutlich zum Tragen kommt… Moravec zeigt sich hier als notengetreuer Gestalter, der mit großem Atem die Bögen der Sonatensätze zu formen versteht, ihnen Leben einhaucht, sie in ihrer inneren Dramatik so auszuformen versteht, dass man gerodezu mitfiebert in der “Pathétique” oder der “Mondschein”-Sonate. Das ist wirklich großes Beethoven-Spiel… Gut, dass diese Box so intensiv an alle Phasen dieses großartigen pianisten erinnert, damit dieser pianist nicht vergessen wird.”
Piano News, February 2021

“Moravec, le pianiste aux doigts de velours, le magicien des timbres, était également doté d'un jeu merveilleusement précis et affûté. Faut-il ajouter que ce coffret est indispensable à tout amateur de piano qui se respecte?”
Diapason, May 2021

CD 1

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 14 in E flat major, K. V. 449
1. Allegro vivace 08:33
2. Andantino 07:52
3. Allegro ma non troppo 05:43
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 23 in A major, K. 488
4. Allegro 10:48
5. Adagio 08:13
6. Allegro assai 07:57
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 25 in C major, K. 503
7. Allegro maestoso 13:37
8. Andante 08:39
9. Finale. Allegretto 08:09

CD 2

Ludwig van Beethoven
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37
1. Allegro con brio 16:43
2. Largo 10:26
3. Rondo. Allegro 08:41
Ludwig van Beethoven
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 4 in G major, Op. 58
4. Allegro moderato 17:17
5. Andante con moto 06:09
6. Rondo. Vivace 09:16
Ludwig van Beethoven
Sonata No. 27 in E minor, Op. 90
7. Mit Lebhaftigkeit und durchaus mit Empfindung un Ausdruck 04:41
8. Nicht zu geschwind und sehr singbar vorzutragen 08:25

CD 3

Ludwig van Beethoven
Sonata No. 8 C minor Op. 13 Pathétique
1. Grave. Allegro di molto e con brio 08:48
2. Adagio cantabile 05:35
3. Rondo. Allegro 04:03
Ludwig van Beethoven
Sonata No. 14 C Sharp minor Op. 27 Quasi una fantasia
4. Adagio sostenuto 06:41
5. Allegretto /att./ 02:30
6. Presto agitato 07:06
Ludwig van Beethoven
Sonata No. 26 E Flat major Op. 81a Les adieux
7. Lebewohl. Adagio - Allegro 06:49
8. Abwesenheit. Andante espressivo 04:24
9. Auf Wiedersehen. Vivacissimamente 05:27
Ludwig van Beethoven
Sonata No. 15 Pastoral D major Op. 28 Pastoral
10. Allegro 09:24
11. Andante 07:01
12. Scherzo. Allegro vivace 02:14
13. Rondo. Allegro ma non troppo 04:27
Ludwig van Beethoven
14. Bagatelle No. 4 A major Op. 33 03:44
Ludwig van Beethoven
15. Bagatelle No. 25 A minor WoO 59 Für Elise 03:00

CD 4

Frédéric Chopin
1. Ballad No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23 10:12
Frédéric Chopin
2. Ballad No. 2 in F major, Op. 38 07:41
Frédéric Chopin
3. Ballad No. 3 in A flat major, Op. 47 07:55
Frédéric Chopin
4. Ballad No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52 12:08
Frédéric Chopin
5. Scherzo in B minor, Op. 20 10:16
Frédéric Chopin
6. Scherzo in B flat minor, Op. 31 10:13
Frédéric Chopin
7. Scherzo C sharp minor, Op. 39 07:25
Frédéric Chopin
8. Scherzo in E major, Op. 54 11:35

CD 5

Frédéric Chopin
24 Préludes for Piano Op. 28
1. Agitato 00:50
2. Lento 02:20
3. Vivace, ma non troppo 01:03
4. Largo 02:17
5. Allegro molto 00:34
6. Lento assai 02:28
7. Andantino 00:57
8. Molto agitato 01:59
9. Largo 01:09
10. Allegro molto 00:37
11. Vivace 00:47
12. Presto, ma non troppo 01:15
13. Lento 03:26
14. Allegro 00:23
15. Sostenuto 06:28
16. Presto con fuoco 01:09
17. Allegro 03:19
18. Allegro molto 00:54
19. Vivace 01:15
20. Largo 01:33
21. Cantabile 01:54
22. Molto agitato 00:56
23. Moderato 00:50
24. Allegro appassionato 02:44
Frédéric Chopin
25. Polonaise - Fantaisie A Flat major Op. 61 13:49
Frédéric Chopin
Sonata No. 2 B Flat minor Op. 35
26. Grave - Doppio movimento 07:51
27. Scherzo 06:52
28. Marche funebre. Lento 08:42
29. Finale. Presto 01:34

CD 6

Frédéric Chopin
1. Mazurka in C sharp minor, Op. 50/3 05:01
Frédéric Chopin
2. Mazurka in C sharp minor, Op. 63/3 01:46
Frédéric Chopin
3. Mazurka in A minor, Op. 7/2 03:04
Frédéric Chopin
4. Mazurka in C major, Op. 24/2 02:12
Frédéric Chopin
5. Mazurka in A minor, Op. 17/4 04:50
Frédéric Chopin
6. Mazurka No. 2 F minor Op. 63 02:16
Frédéric Chopin
7. Mazurka No. 2 A minor Op. 68 03:17
Frédéric Chopin
8. Mazurka No. 1 B Flat major Op. 7 02:18
Frédéric Chopin
9. Mazurka No. 4 C Sharp minor Op. 30 04:00
Frédéric Chopin
10. Mazurka No. 4 B minor Op. 33 05:14
Frédéric Chopin
11. Mazurka in E minor, Op. 41 No.1 02:45
Frédéric Chopin
12. Mazurka in F minor, Op. 68 No. 4 02:14
Frédéric Chopin
13. Mazurka in C major, Op. 7 No.5 00:49
Frédéric Chopin
14. Mazurka in C major, Op. 56 No. 2 01:59
Frédéric Chopin
15. Mazurka No. 3 E major Op. 6 01:57
Frédéric Chopin
16. Mazurka No. 4 B Flat minor Op. 24 04:46
Frédéric Chopin
17. Mazurka No. 3 D Flat major Op. 24 03:04
Frédéric Chopin
18. Polonaise No. 1 C Sharp minor Op. 26 08:20
Frédéric Chopin
19. Waltz No. 2 A minor Op. 34 05:18
Frédéric Chopin
20. Waltz No. 2 C Sharp minor Op. 64 03:13
Frédéric Chopin
21. Waltz E minor op. posth. 02:51
Frédéric Chopin
22. Barcarolle in F sharp major, Op. 60 09:25

CD 7

Ludwig van Beethoven
Sonata No. 23 F minor Op. 57 Appassionata
1. Allegro assai 10:05
2. Andante con moto 06:30
3. Allegro ma non troppo - Presto 05:04
Robert Schumann
Scenes from Childhood Op. 15
4. Of Foreign Lands and Peoples (Von fremden Ländern und Menschen) 01:41
5. A Curious Story (Kuriose Geschichte) 01:14
6. Blind Man's Bluff (Hasche-Mann) 00:31
7. Pleading Child (Bittendes Kind) 01:12
8. Happy Enough (Glückes genug) 01:23
9. An Important Event (Wichtige Begebenheit) 00:50
10. Dreaming (Träumerei) 02:58
11. At the Fireside (Am Kamin) 01:02
12. Knight of the Hobbyhorse (Ritter vom Steckenpferd) 00:44
13. Almost Too Serious (Fast zu ernst) 01:45
14. Frightening (Fürchtenmachen) 01:43
15. Child Falling Asleep (Kind im Einschlummern) 02:35
16. The Poet Speaks (Der Dichter spricht) 02:26
Robert Schumann
17. Arabeske C major Op. 18 07:30
Johannes Brahms
18. Capriccio No. 2 B minor Op. 76 03:17
Johannes Brahms
19. Rhapsody No. 2 G minor Op. 79 05:54
Johannes Brahms
Three Intermezzi Op. 117
20. Andante moderato 05:43
21. Andante con troppo e con molto espressione 05:17
22. Andante con moto 07:03
Johannes Brahms
23. Intermezzo No. 2 A major - Andante teneramente Op. 118 06:24

CD 8

Robert Schumann
Piano Concerto A minor Op. 54
1. Allegro affettuoso 15:25
2. Intermezzo. Andantino grazioso 05:47
3. Allegro vivace 10:33
Johannes Brahms
Piano Concerto No. 1 D minor Op. 15
4. Maestoso 21:26
5. Adagio 13:32
6. Rondo. Allegro non troppo 12:18

CD 9

Claude Debussy
Images
1. Reflets dans l'eau 05:13
2. Hommage á Rameau 06:48
3. Mouvement 03:27
Claude Debussy
Images
4. Cloches a travers les feuilles 04:25
5. Et la lune descend sur le temple qui fut 05:35
6. Poissons d'or 03:44
Claude Debussy
Estampes
7. Pagodes 05:48
8. La soirée dans Grenade 05:19
9. Jardins sous la pluie 03:46
Claude Debussy
Pour le piano, suite
10. Prélude 03:55
11. Sarabande 05:32
12. Toccata 03:44
Claude Debussy
Children's Corner
13. Doktor Gradus ad Parnassum 02:43
14. Jimbo's Lullaby 03:19
15. Serenade for the Doll 02:42
16. The Snow is Dancing 02:47
17. Shepherd Boy 02:13
18. Colliwogg's Cake-Walk 03:21
Claude Debussy
19. Clair de lune from the Suite bergamasque 05:14

CD 10

César Franck
Prélude, Choral et Fugue for Piano
1. Prélude. Moderato 06:17
2. Choral. Poco piu lento 07:38
3. Fugue. Poco allegro 07:48
Claude Debussy
Preludes for Piano - I.st book - selection
4. Les sons et les parfums tournent dans l'air du soir. Modéré 04:28
Claude Debussy
Preludes for Piano - I.st book - selection
5. Les collines d'Anacapri. Tres modéré 03:32
Claude Debussy
Preludes for Piano - 1st Book
6. Des pas sur la neige. Triste et lent 04:21
Claude Debussy
Preludes for Piano - I.st book - selection
7. La cathédrale engloutie. Profondément calme 06:28
Claude Debussy
Preludes for Piano - 2nd Book
8. Feuilles mortes 03:35
Claude Debussy
Preludes for Piano - 2nd Book
9. La puerta del Vino 03:14
Claude Debussy
Preludes for Piano - II.nd Book - selection
10. La terrasse des audiences du clair de lune. Lent 05:02
Claude Debussy
Preludes for Piano - 2nd Book
11. Ondine 03:56
Claude Debussy
Preludes for Piano - II.nd Book - selection
12. Feux d'Artifice. Modérement animé 04:50
Maurice Ravel
Sonatine in F sharp minor for Piano
13. Modéré 04:11
14. Mouvement de menuet 03:34
15. Animé 03:47
Maurice Ravel
16. Habanera 03:27

CD 11

Leoš Janáček
Piano Sonata 1. X. 1905 in E Flat minor From the Street E Flat minor From the Street
1. Presentiment. Con moto 06:04
2. Death. Adagio 08:49
Leoš Janáček
In the Mists
3. Andante 03:53
4. Molto adagio 04:39
5. Andantino /att./ 03:02
6. Presto. Meno mosso 04:49
Leoš Janáček
On an Overgrown Path
7. 1st Series - Good Night! Andante 03:32
8. 1st Series - In Tears. Larghetto 04:04
9. 1st Series - A Blow-away Leaf. Andante 03:46
Bohuslav Martinů
Etudes and Polkas. Piano Pieces - Ist Book H 308
10. Polka 01:37
11. Polka 02:32
12. Pastorale. Moderato 01:37
Bedřich Smetana
Czech Dances for Piano
13. Set I - Polka 02:37
14. Set II - The Lancer 05:15
15. Set II - Obkročák 03:06
16. Set II - Furiant 06:01
Bedřich Smetana
Three Poetic Polkas, Op. 8
17. Polka 03:52
Bedřich Smetana
18. Memories of Plzeň 03:05

DVD

1. Ivan Moravec, documentary 57:30
Ludwig van Beethoven
2. 32 Piano Variations on an Original Theme in C minor 10:23
Ludwig van Beethoven
3. Sonata No. 23 Op. 57 Appassionata 10:23
Sergei Prokofiev
4. Piano Concerto No. 1 in D flat major, Op. 10 25:21
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
5. Piano Concerto No. 25 in C major K 503 32:00
Maurice Ravel
6. Piano Concerto in G major 22:33