Josef Hofmann Plays Chopin (1937)

A Chopin Recital

From the Golden Jubilee Concert of 1937

1. Nocturne in E-flat, Op. No.2 (0:08)
2. Waltz in A-flat Op. 42 (4:30)
3. Andante Spianato et Grande Polonaise in E-flat, Op.22 (8:15)
4. Nocturne in F-sharp, Op.15, No. 2 (19:43)
5. Waltz in D-flat, Op. 64, No. 1 "Minute" (22:42)
6. Etude in G-flat, Op. 25, No.9 "Butterfly" (24:22)
7. Berceuse in B-flat, Op.57 (25:28)

Josef Hofmann, pianist

Recorded Live on November 28, 1937
at The Metropolitan Opera House, New York

This is the Chopin set from the Anniversary Concert by Josef Hofmann (1876-1957). We offered the Ballade in G minor as a solo post a few weeks ago. It is available here at:    • Hofmann Plays Chopin: Ballade No 1 in G mi...  

We are also including his little lead-ins here. This is a 19th century practice by soloists to get the audience ready to listen, and it is interesting to hear Hofmann employ it here.

As for the playing, it is Hofmann's Chopin, and that speaks for itself.

No noise reduction was used here at all and pop removal was kept to a minimum. The tone is so unique that the decision was to leave it untouched; nobody has ever played Chopin this way before or since these incredible recordings were made.

Transfer (1992): Ward Marston
Field Acoustic Restoration (2022): Paul Howard

In order for our posts to remain commercial-free, we do not monetize on this channel. If you wish to offer support for this kind of music and sound, you may make a donation to:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted...