The privileged attendees of piano concerts in London during the rather dull 1970s and early 1980s often reflect on this time as extraordinary. This period was not only characterized by the presence of postwar icons like Maurizio Pollini, Radu lupu, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Daniel Barenboim, and Murray Perahia at their peak but also showcased Martha Argerich mesmerizing audiences with her solo performances.Moreover, many renowned pianists from the latter half of the twentieth century—such as Sviatoslav Richter, Emil Gilels, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Annie Fischer, and Rudolf Serkin—regularly graced the stages of this vibrant city. Although Claudio Arrau’s influence has somewhat diminished since his death in 1991, he undoubtedly belonged to this illustrious group; each performance he delivered was met with great anticipation.

The profound impact of Arrau’s artistry is beautifully captured in a series of recordings from three recitals held at the Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena, California during the years spanning from 1977 to1986. These albums meticulously document his original programs—the first featuring compositions by Beethoven, Liszt, and Brahms; followed by a second that highlighted works by Beethoven alongside Schumann, Debussy, Chopin; with Liszt making another appearance; ultimately culminating in four sonatas by Beethoven including stunning interpretations of Waldstein Sonata Op.53 and Les Adieux Op.81a. From the very first notes played on stage or recorded for posterity one can instantly recognize Arrau’s rich piano tone along with his unique phrasing style that may seem unconventional when applied to debussy or Schumann yet fits seamlessly within Beethoven’s grand narratives as well as those crafted by Liszt or Brahms—all delivered with an unwavering sense of direction that clarifies both where each piece stands within its context as well as its trajectory throughout performance.

Listen to this album on Apple Music