Claudio Arrau's Legacy

Last century witnessed a truly phenomenal manifestation of piano talent. Amongst its peaks a special place is occupied by the great Chilean pianist Claudio Arrau. One of the most significant facts from his biography seems to me to be the direct relationship he established through his teacher in Berlin, Martin Krause, with the legacy of Franz Liszt and his music making technique and phylosophy. Another very important fact in my view is the seriousness and dedication to the original written score he showed consistently, and advocated for that matter, when it came to making music and trying to transmit through interpretation the whole world comprised in the great compositions. He is one of the few that I know that in order to understand and to play right Beethoven's piano sonatas he felt he has to know by heart and understand all the string quartets of the master of Bonn. Many things can be told significant for the musicianship of Arrau yet the best advocate is his recorded legacy that speaks about a great and profound musician in the most convincing way possible. Here are some picks:


1. Beethoven's Piano Sonatas & Concertos
For me this is by far the best set with all Beethoven's sonatas. Even if there is a debate whether the first are "light" enough he is unbeatable in the middle and above all last sonatas.
For an even more "out of this world" redemption of the last three piano concertos please read this review.


2. Chopin's Nocturnes
Nobody plays these profund pieces with the insight and dedication Arrau does. A genuine experience.


3. Schubert's Last Piano Sonatas
Schubert was a romantic genius and Arrau shows you in beautiful sound why is that.


4. Liszt Piano Sonata in B minor
Tha grand sonata from Liszt by a pianist that inherited him both technically and spiritually. A one of kind version.


5. Brahms' First Piano Concerto
I prefer the version with Giulini. Intellectual power and emotional coherence. Read more here.


6. Bach's Goldberg Variations
Although Gould is an illustrious player of these variations I prefer Arrau deepest approach to this music.


7. Liszt 12 Etudes d'execution transcedentale
An unanimous acclaim as the finest version available.