WILLIAM KAPELL

 

Kapell rediscovered

 

Features five works new to Kapell’s discography:

Prokofiev’s Sonata No. 7

Debussy’s Suite bergamasque

Chopin’s Barcarolle, Op. 60

Chopin’s Scherzo No. 1, Op. 20

Kapell’s rendition of ‘God Save the Queen’

 

Last and never-before-released recordings of American pianist William Kapell, the latest installment in Sony BMG Masterworks’ reDiscovered series.

 

A virtuoso pianist of the mid-twentieth century, William Kapell’s brooding good looks and explosive interpretations of Russian piano literature made him a star. His death in a plane crash at the age of 31 put an end to a career marked by fiery personality, technical mastery, and unstinting devotion to his craft. Many considered him the first virtuoso American pianist - certainly the most famous one until Van Cliburn - whose early death denied him more enduring popularity. These recordings are a stirring reminder of the talent upon which his fame rested during his lifetime

 

This digitally remastered two-disc set - the latest in Sony BMG Masterworks’ reDiscovered series - compiles performances from four of the concerts on Kapell’s tour of Australia and makes them available for the first time as a lasting tribute to the incredible talent and influence of William Kapell.

 

RCA 2cds 82876685602