The Left Hand Connection
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Paul Wittgenstein commissioned a series of works for orchestra and left-handed pianist from leading composers of the 20th century.
Paul Wittgenstein was an Austrian-born concert pianist who became famous for his ability to play with just his left hand, after losing his right arm during the First World War. He devised unusual pedal and hand-movement techniques that allowed him to perform in ways previously regarded as impossible for a one-handed artist.
But Wittgenstein’s greatest accomplishment was to commission a series of works for orchestra and left-handed pianist by Richard Strauss, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Sergei Prokofiev, Maurice Ravel and Benjamin Britten.
In this hour, the pianist’s incredible story, and selections from some of the works written for him.
FEATURED RECORDINGS
Title
|
Group/Artist
|
Catalog #
|
UPC
|
Scriabin Preludes Vol. 1
|
Evgeny Zarafiants
|
Naxos 8.55399
|
0730099499729
|
Korngold Orchestral Works Vol. 2
|
Stephen De Groote, the Northwest German Philharmonic, Werner Albert cond.
|
CPO 999150
|
0761203904624
|
Strauss Orchestral Works
|
Peter Rosel, Staatskapelle Dresden, Rudolf Kempe cond.
|
Brilliant Classics 7591/2
|
842977075915
|
Saint-Saens Complete Etudes
|
Piers Lane
|
Hyperion CDA67037
|
034571170374
|
Ravel Conducts Ravel
|
Paul Wittgenstein, Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam; Bruno Walter cond.
|
Urania URN 22.341
|
8025726223412
|
Ravel/Prokofiev/Britten
|
(Fleisher/Ozawa)
|
Sony SK 47188
|
074644718829
|