RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No.2 (with unknown orchestra, cond. Antonia Brico)
Off Air recital:
SCARLATTI Sonata in A Kk113; CHOPIN Scherzo No.3 Op39; Impromptu No.1 Op29; Waltz No.5 Op42; LISZT La Leggierezza, Gnomenreigen; SCRIABIN Etude Op8/12
The 1929 Odeon recordings:
CHOPIN Etude Op10/8; Waltz No.5 Op42; LISZT Gnomenreigen RACHMANINOV Polka de W.R.
New Zealand radio interview September 1947
This is the final volume in our series of live Barere recordings from Carnegie Hall, however only the performance of the Rachmaninov 2nd Concerto actually originates there. Interestingly, the work is conducted by one of the earliest female conductors - Antonia Brico - who for a time ran her own orchestra. This is a truly passionate performance, perhaps similar to that result one might have expected had Barere's classmate, Horowitz, ever taken up the work.
Though appendices, the other recordings are also of great interest. The off-air recital probably dates from 1944-46 and shows Barere in a selection of his signature showpieces. The commercial Odeon recordings were recorded in Sweden in 1929 and are the earliest record we have of Barere's playing. Finally we have the unique chance to hear Barere speaking in an, admittedly banal, interview for New Zealand radio.
All the performances confirm that Barere was indeed, not only one of the greatest ever keyboard technicians, but a Romantic pianist in the grand tradition, fully worthy of his Russian pedigree.