Here we have Paul Wittgenstein playing some extraordinary music for the left hand alone. Several of these recording were made very late in his life and one might feel they do not measure up to the drama and pathos of the legend. However, they are of immeasurable historical significance and a window into a performance style for which, in the cases of these particular works, we have very few examples.
The two operatic transcriptions are already difficult enought in two hand versions, and not only to play. It is no easy task to create a successful transcribption of an orchestral work for the piano, but to do so for the left hand in indeed daunting.
The Reger is a work conceived for the left hand, and as such lies much more naturally under the fingers.
And I save the best for last. Wittgenstein's performance of the Bach-Brahms Chaconne is particularly compelling.
