Charles Rosen - The Complete Columbia and Epic Album Collection

For those who wish, I am posting the contents of the recording:DISC 1Ravel: Gaspard de la nuit - 3 poemes pour pianoRavel: Le Tombeau de CouperinDISC 2Chopin: Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52Chopin: Scherzo No. 3 in C-sharp minor, Op. 39Chopin: Polonaise in A Flat major, Op. 53 No. 6Chopin: Mazurka No. 2 in C-sharp minor, Op. 6 No. 2Chopin: Mazurka No. 31 in A-flat major, Op. 50 No. 2Chopin: Mazurka No. 32 in C-sharp minor, Op. 50 No. 3Chopin: Nocturne No. 8 in D-flat Major, Op. 27 No. 2Chopin: Nocturne No. 5 in F-sharp major, Op. 15 No. 2Chopin: Nocturne No. 17 in B major, Op. 62 No. 1DISC 3Stravinsky: Serenade in A for PianoStravinsky: Sonata for PianoSchoenberg: Klavierstück, Op. 33aSchoenberg: Klavierstück, Op. 33bSchoenberg: Suite for Piano, Op. 25Stravinsky: Movements for Piano and OrchestraDISC 4Carter: Double Concerto for Harpsichord and Piano with Two Chamber OrchestrasKirchner: Concerto for Violin, Cello, Ten Winds and PercussionCarter: Piano SonataDISC 5Debussy: 12 Études pour le PianoDISC 6Schubert: Sonata in A Major for Piano, D. 959Mozart: Rondo in A Minor, K. 511DISC 7Schumann: Davidsbündlertänze, Op. 6Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9DISC 8Liszt: Don Juan FantasyLiszt: Sonetto No. 104 del PetrarcaLiszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 10Bartók: Improvisations on Hungarian Peasant Songs, Op. 20 (Sz. 74)Bartók: Etude, Op. 18, No. 1Bartók: Etude, Op. 18, No. 2Bartók: Etude, Op. 18, No. 3DISC 9Beethoven: Sonata No. 31 in A-flat major, Op. 110Beethoven: Sonata No. 29 in B-flat major, Op. 106 "Hammerklavier"DISC 10Chopin/Rosenthal: Minute Waltz in ThirdsStrauss/Godowski: Wine, Women and SongMendelssohn/Rachmaninoff: Scherzo from "A Midsummer Night's Dream"Schubert/Liszt: Soirée de Vienne No. 6Strauss/Tausig: You Only Live Once ("Man lebt nur einmal")Kreisler/Rachmaninoff: LiebesleidBizet/Rachmaninoff: Minuet from "L'Arlésienne Suite No. 1"Strauss/Rosenthal: Carnaval de VienneDISC 11Chopin: Concerto No. 2 for Piano and Orchestra in F Minor, Op. 21Liszt: Concerto No. 1 for Piano and Orchestra in E-Flat MajorDISC 12Debussy: Images, Book IDebussy: Images, Book IIDebussy: EstampesDebussy: La Plus Que Lente - ValseDebussy: Hommage à HaydnDebussy: Berceuse HéroïqueDebussy: L'isle JoyeuseDISC 13Carter: Variations for OrchestraCarter: Double Concerto for Harpsichord and Piano with Two Chamber OrchestrasDISC 14-15Bach: Ricercar in 6 voices from A Musical Offering, BWV 1079Bach: Ricercar in 3 voices from A Musical Offering, BWV 1079Bach: The Art of the Fugue, BWV 1080DISC 16Bach: Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 "Goldberg-Variations"DISC 17Haydn: Piano Sonata No. 36 C minor Hob. XVI:20Haydn: Piano Sonata No. 31 A flat major, Hob. XVI, 46Haydn: Piano Sonata No. 18 in G minor Hob XVI: 44DISC 18Beethoven: Sonata No. 27 in E minor for Piano, Op. 90Beethoven: Sonata No. 29 in B-flat major, Op. 106 "Hammerklavier"Beethoven: Sonata No. 28 in A Major for Piano, Op. 101DISC 19Beethoven: Sonata No. 30 in E major, Op. 109Beethoven: Sonata No. 31 in A-flat major, Op. 110Beethoven: Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111DISC 20Boulez: Piano Sonata No. 1Boulez: Piano Sonata No. 3DISC 21Webern: Fünf Lieder aus "Der siebente Ring", Op. 3Webern: Fünf Lieder, Op. 4Webern: Four Pieces for Violin and Piano, Op. 7 (1910)Webern: Three Pieces for Cello and Piano, Op. 11 (1914)Webern: Vier Lieder für Singstimme und Klavier, Op. 12Webern: Quartet for Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Violin and Piano, Op. 22Webern: Drei Gesänge aus "Viae inviae", Op. 23 von Hildegard JoneWebern: Drei Lieder für Singstimme und Klavier, Op. 25 nach Gedichten von Hildegard JoneNow that the contents are listed for those who might be interested before considering a purchase of his set,,, I will offer my humble comments.When I was an undergraduate student in Music School during the 70's, Rosen's THE CLASSICAL STYLE was released with much praise. By the time I did graduate studies, the book was a requirement in two Music History seminar courses. His scholarly wisdom is unquestionable, and in multiple areas; in addition to music, he excelled in French Literature and taught that subject many years.Given his flawless technique and abilities, combined with his knowledge, Rosen was indeed, a fantastic artist.I knew his recordings of the late Beethoven Sonatas from vinyl, and always treasured them. His recording of the Hammerklavier is unparalled in my opinion. While I have heard many recordings of the op. 110 which are more lyrical, his later recrding of this gem holds a special place in my heart.His Ravel is impeccable, with crystalline shimmering passages, and he does not pull back the tempo in his approach to crescendos, making these passages breathtaking. I will not say it is the standard given the Argerich recording of Gaspard, but, it is an extremely noteworthy performance, and I am glad it is available obce again. The Tombeau is special in as much as Rosen really allows many of the movements to actually "dance" as they should.I was surprised at the beauty of his Chopin, thrilled with his Debussy, enjoyed his Schubert, Schumann and Mozart, and delighted by his Haydn.The Bach set is exceptional.However, it is in the contemporary literature contained in the disc, where we can truly discern the artist within.Rosen pulls out all the music and necessary nuance to sell this music. I knew the Stravinsky and Schoenberg disc previously on vinyl, but his Carter, Kirchner, Boulez and Webern are INCREDIBLE!At this price, the set is a steal if you like the repertoire contained in the set,

This set is a wonderment.. Not only can you hear extraordinary attention to the way the piano can color sound differently, but you can hear the voicings in the music. Each composer from whatever period comes to the fore with a somewhat different coloring of sound--- the chopin ppiano is not the liszt piano and beethoven is distinct from haydn.Finally-- contrary to one of the reviews-- the Carter piano Sonata is in the set it is on th same cd as the early recording of the Double Concerto for Piano and Hasrpsicord. The problem is that the jacket-- reproduced from the LP does not list it. The booklet, however, shows very clearly it is the last two bands of the CD after the Kirchner Concerto on the same disc.

Very fine recordings. Exceptional Debussy which I wouldn't have guessed given his expertise in music of the classical style. It's a great pity that the liner notes written by Rosen and printed on the reverse of the CD covers are so small that no matter how hard I try my eyes just give up. It would have been a good idea to have reproduced these in the set's booklet. For many, this alone would have been worth the price of admission.

Fine historic collection of Rosen's performances.

These CD's are even better than I hoped, after reading the review in Stereophile magazine. I am enjoying them very much.

Great collection. Recording quality is excellent!

Wonderful set!

Superb combination of technique and intelligence

At long last we have a fitting tribute to this great American pianist. As well he was an eminent scholar who wrote many noteworthy prize winning books. His passing on December 9, 2012 robbed the world of this brilliant light. This 21 disc set covers a wide span from baroque to serial music. He was equally adept in all the music he chose to interpret. His technical prowess let him handle the most complex music with ease; as he seemed to be able to excel in all diverse forms of music through his deep introspection. He was an artist who reveled in his profound love of music for its own sake and whatever the work - it came to life under the adroit touch of his fingers. Just a few brief notes on his select repertoire. The set starts out with an album of Ravel. Rosen's approach makes this music majestic and elegant under his commanding touch Two albums of Debussy reveal the deep subtle nature of this music and transform it into aural splendour. Debussy's Etudes are masterful and sublime and bring this great masterwork to its highest revelation. Every note seems flawless and precise that you are lost in the overwhelming aural delight. The other Debussy album samples some of his best know works - the two books of Images, Estampes, La Plus que lente, Hommage a Haydn, Berceuse heroique and ending with a magnificent L'isle joyeuse. All this masterful playing makes such beautiful music. The range expands to include Chopin, Liszt, Schubert, Schumann, Beethoven, Haydn and Mozart performed with such immaculate taste. I will mention his Bach. This is music of the highest order and only a few have reach these heights. I love Glenn Gould's Goldberg Variations but Rosen's can easily live beside Gould. Rosen's performance is almost twice as long as the earliest brilliant Gould version but it works splendidly. One can listen to it repeatedly drawing from its magnificence. Rosen's Art of the Fugue is breathtaking in its scope and execution.(Only Glenn Gould and Angela Hewitt seem to be in the same class.) He plays other works by Stravinsky, Schoenberg, Bartok, Webern, Boulez, and Elliott Carter(who's works Rosen championed and brought to the public's attention). This a treasure trove of aural delights. You will be well rewarded by its exquisite contents.

Rosen was both a fine pianist and a fine writer. This box set is superb value. Those not acquainted with Rosen's playing, knowing only his reputation as a writer and intellectual, might be surprised by the power and virtuosity of his playing in Liszt, Debussy and the various virtuoso warhorses he plays. Here is more successful, I think, than in his Bach. His Art of Fugue was something of a trailblazer, but his refusal to allow any rubato at all leads to a rendition that is rather dry. This is great music, not just maths, and needs to 'breathe' like any music. Rosen's Beethoven is solid, free of idiosyncrasy, but, again, to my ear rather uninvolving. The Chopin is on the otehr hand surprisingly flexible and lovely to listen to. My own purpose in buying the box set was to get to grips with some of the spikier, modern, works that Rosen championed. Here I tried hard and failed. The Eliot Carter concerti offer glimpses of something potentially satisfying and other odd works are rewarding. But the Boulez piano sonatas ... did Rosen learn them by heart? If he did and played the wrong notes throughout, would anyone know? I suppose this box set stands out for the presence in it of music which so clearly now stands out as dead. In the living works, Rosen is always good, but there are more exciting and stimulating recordings elsewhere.

Charles Rosen fue uno de los grandes de la cultura en el siglo veinte y la parte del actual que pudo vivir. Esta caja de Sony atestigua sus méritos como pianista, actividad que se le quedó pequeña. Con una sólida formación intelectual (era lo que los ingleses llaman un scholar), se consagró a la musicología (en España tenemos a Pérez de Arteaga), dejándonos volúmenes fundamentales sobre el clasicismo y el movimiento romántico. Pero, además, su extensa cultura y su inagotable curiosidad le condujeron a otros varios terrenos: la literatura, sobre todo francesa, la pintura, la gastronomía... En todo brillaba su erudición cuajada de amenidad y su ingenio, a veces cáustico pero nunca rencoroso. Aparte de sus libros, lo mejor de Rosen se encuentra en las páginas de The New York Review of Books, donde colaboró desde los años setenta hasta su muerte en 2012. En España pronunció una conferencia poco antes de morir, que naturalmente pasó inadvertida.

There is much to recommend this collection, but yet again Sony have made a mess of the re-mastering of Stravinsky's Movements for Piano and Orchestra. When this appeared on LP it was complete, i.e. it included the repeat in the first movement as indicated in the score. Somehow, when it was issued on CD the repeat got excised. I had hoped that by now someone at Sony might have learned to read music and notice that they had left a good chunk of the recording on the cutting room floor. Not good enough, Sony. This is an insult both to the memory of Charles Rosen and of Igor Stravinsky, This is enough to lose the boxed set 2 stars it would otherwise have deserved. It's long overdue that Sony sorted this mess out.

Nice presentation, and Rosen's discography is really interesting to me. Grateful to Sony for all there first on cd stuff they are doing now.