EUGEN d'ALBERT (1864-1932) Scottish-German Pianist and Composer
Eugen d'Albert was one of a golden crop of late students of Franz Liszt. He might have been the best, Liszt admired him greatly and called him "The young
Tausig
," a formidable pianist, and perhaps Liszt's greatest pupil from a generation earlier.
Eugen d"Albert was born in Scotland but in his late teens won a Scholarship to study in Austria. He then went on to Germany to study with Liszt. He felt strongly drawn to German culture, turned his back on his British background and became a German citizen. He pursued a career as a concert pianist and as a
composer
, going on to write some 21 operas, and numerous other works including two piano concerti, and a very impressive Sonata for piano.
The only work offered of d'Albert playing his own music in this piano roll of an improvisation on airs from his opera
"Tiefland"
Beethoven Rondo a capriccio "Rage over a Lost Penny" Op 129 Recorded c. 1918-1922
Brahms Capriccio in B minor Op 76 n°2 Recorded c. 1910-1912
Chopin Ballade 2 in F Major Op 38 Recorded c. 1910-1912
Chopin Berceuse in D flat Major Op 57 Recorded c. 1910-1912
Chopin Nocturne in B Major Op 9 n3 Piano roll from 1905
Chopin Polonaise 6 in Ab Major Op 53 "Heroique" Recorded c. 1910-1912
Chopin Waltz in Ab Major Op 42 Recorded c. 1910-1912
Debussy "Jardins Sous la Pluie" Recorded c. 1910-1912
Goossens "The Punch & Judy Show" Recorded c. 1910-1912
Liszt "Au Bord d'une Source" Recorded c. 1910-1912
Saint-Saëns "Danse Macabre"
Schubert/Tausig "Marche Militaire" Recorded c. 1910-1912
The following are from two piano rolls of Eugen d'Albert performing the Liszt Piano Sonata in B minor. As a student of Liszt, it is very possible that d'Albert's performance can provide some insights into how the master himself might have played it.
Liszt Piano Sonata in B minor piano roll from 1916
Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV
Finally, a 1930 radio broadcast of the First movement, Allegro, of the Beethoven "Emperor" Concerto. Unfortunately the conductor and orchestra are not identified. d60944 to whom we owe a debt of gratitude for posting most of the d'Albert performances on YouTube has this to say about it: "The performance is fascinating, repulsive, compelling, frustrating, wonderful, characterful, powerful, sloppy, and is extremely important. Make of it what you will..."
Beethoven Piano Concerto 5 in E flat Major Op 73 "Emperor" Recorded in 1930
