A Time-Warping Experience

Shura Cherkassky: Recital. Jean-Philippe Rameau: Gavotte in A minor with Six Variations. Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata in C minor, Op. 13 “Pathétique”. Felix Mendelssohn: Fantasia in F sharp minor, Op. 28 “Sonate écossaise”. Frédéric Chopin: Nocturne in F minor, Op. 55 No. 1; Scherzo in B flat minor, Op. 31. Alexander Scriabin: 2 Préludes, Op. 11 Nos. 5 & 10. Peter Tchaikovsky: Nocturne in C sharp minor, Op. 19 No. 4. Franz Liszt: Réminiscences de Don Juan, S. 418. Shura Cherkassky, piano. Executive Producer: John Pattrick. Remastering: Tony Faulkner. One compact disc, total playing time 78 minutes. Recorded at Concert Hall, Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh Festival, 24 June 1974. BBC Legends BBCL 4185-2.

‘A time-warping experience’ is how a New York Times columnist described hearing the pianist Shura Cherkassky back in 1985. Indeed, Cherkassky, who died in 1995 at the age of 86 years, was one of the last survivors from the so-called Golden Age of the piano. Taught by Josef Hofmann at a time when ‘the pianist was at least as important as the composer’, Cherkassky never failed to surprise his listeners (even those who heard him play the same piece several times) with his individual, and often eccentric, interpretations.It is not surprising that Bryce Morrison, in his perceptive and eloquent booklet text, seems to feel a need to defend Cherkassky. As Morrison himself says, Cherkassky’s delight in ‘flouting received wisdom, custom and convention’ could leave some audience members shaking with anger after certain recitals. However, the…

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