Solomon plays Brahms Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Händel

British pianist Solomon's 1942 HMV recording of the Brahms Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Handel, Op.24.

Solomon had attempted to record this work at a May 19, 1941 session with producer Walter Legge, only for the project to be abandoned after three sides were recorded (perhaps due to war-time interference). They returned to the studio to begin afresh in July 1942 and the project would require more sessions than usual for the technically composed Solomon: the 6 sides required a total of five sessions between July 7 and August 5, some sessions yielding only a single usable take (and one yielding none).

The result, however, is remarkable, one of the landmark recordings of the massive composition. Solomon's gorgeous singing tone, enormous dynamic range, and beguiling legato phrasing are put to great use in this patrician yet thrilling reading: noble, majestic, contemplative, evocative... the varied emotional content of the work is brilliantly captured and expressed by the master pianist.

[annjeanmillikan]

Solomon performs Brahms Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel with beautiful technique and such life and joy, high spirits and energy too. Gentle touch and also highly expressive.

[edwardbak]

Playing of such high caliber on so many levels. It is hard to fathom this much greatness at once.

[AlgyPug]

A stupendous performance! No other pianist has captured so successfully the truly orchestral colouring of this work. And no other performance matches the savage excitement of variations 23 and 24. This recording features Solomon at the peak of his powers.

[michelangelomulieri]

Is as though he would dismiss the classics but soon realize he cannot do without them. This is to me the meaning of his reading of this masterpiece

[KnifeLegends]

I believe I have everything Solomon recorded, every one a wonderful performance. He was surprisingly fine in Chopin if you can believe that.

[meredith]

Solomon brings such diversity of touch and mood to this challenging set of variations. Flawless technical mastery and peerless musicianship underpins the whole performance.

[jackatherton]

No comment needed on the playing. I’d only add that Mark has also posted a Solomon tribute page that includes two New Zealand radio interviews (I’m not aware of any preserved from the UK or USA). Not as probing as the playing, but interesting to find that the first rather stiff interviewer has Solomon responding like a languid toff while the second, more bluff, fellow has Solomon responding like an Elgarian squire. Would like to have heard much more from both Solomons and, even more, recordings of the varied and generous programs he played there in 1954 (Bach, all four Chopin Ballades…) Mark and the late Allan Evans found, with enough effort you never know what’s going to turn up. Thanks so much!

[jeffingber]

In my view, the most comprhensively satisfying performance of this piece I have yet encountered.

[Diatonic]

My favourite version of this masterpiece!

[michaelbrodsky]

Thank you so very much for this wonderful wonderful performance. Solomon has an exquisitely light touch--light as steel. Thanks again.

[bernardwastiaux]

Thank you so much for sharing! I believed I was very familiar with the work, and now am surprised by everything I hear. Besides, a wonderful light, intimate tone which is so hard to achieve in Brahms.

[fuzzybear]

This needs thousands more likes, fabulous! Thanks for the upload 🙏

[MrInterestingthings]

Thankyou Solomon for showing Brahms ' style is not turgid and slow . Brahms is especially playful when one looks at his techique in his scores . That sense comes across . I wonder if we have Geiseking or Kempf in this or Annie Fischer . Gina Bachauer 's bigger than life style would turn this into completely different music !

[НадеждаБогданова-рэ]

Даже мне, —не профессионалу, а только
слушателю, —становиться
ясно, когда слушаешь игру
этого пианиста, каким
техническим совершенством он
обладает.
Я прочитала сейчас о нём:
в 8 лет он впервые
выступил, а через два
года, -там же-в Лондоне, -
исполнил 1-й концерт
П.И.Чайковского.
Спасибо, Вам! Учусь!
9.03.2021.

[alombredeslava]

Merci pour cette qualité de son bien meilleure qu'en CD.

[alombredeslava]

j'ai toujours considéré cette interprétation comme étant la meilleure avec celle de Petri qui est très proche.