Rudolf Serkin

Rudolf Serkin is an Austrian pianist , naturalized American, born with Eger in Bohemia the March 28th 1903, died with Guildford in the Vermont (E. - U.) the May 8th 1991.

Biography

Uprooted towards Vienna, it is a Child prodigy but his/her father refuses to exploit his early talents; if it begins with the Philharmonic orchestra from Vienna in 1915, it is only in 1920 that it makes its true beginnings of concert performer after intense studies, the piano with Richard Robert, the composition with Joseph Marx and Schönberg.

Adolf Busch

At seventeen years, its meeting with Adolf Busch, then their human and artistic complicity lead to the constitution of the Quatuor Busch, String quartet with the ethical modest, at the same time hard-working and travelling acrobat but with the prestigious guests, Marcel Moyse, Aubrey Brain or Reginald Kell to play the German Musique . In 1931, then with the length of the Thirties with the Studios Abbey Road of London, they record works of Beethoven, Bach, Schubert at sessions pionnières, legendary, always republished, testimonys of an extraordinary joint work.

The voluntary Exile

In 1933, Hermann Goering proposes important stations to him whereas as a Jewish it is to him interdict to play in public concert. However, by Ideal, it chooses the voluntary Exil: Adolf Busch, although perfect Aryen makes in the same way. After Basle, it will be fixed at the United States of America in 1939 where it makes its first appearance in Coolidge Festival with Washington in 1933; as of 1934, it is sponsored by Arturo Toscanini which accompanies it with the Philharmonic orchestra by New York. The critics describe it like “a gifted artist of a talent unusual and impressive, having one touched crystalline, full with power, delicacy, and a pure sound”. In 1937, it gives its first recital to the Carnegie Hall.

Transmission

Philadelphia

Throughout its life, it will be very anxious to transmit its art: as of 1939, it will teach with the Curtis Institute of Philadelphia and of 1968 with 1977 will be director.

Prades, Marlboro

In 1950, it is invited by Pablo Casals with the first edition of the Festival of Prades. With Casals, it perennializes the festival of Marlboro emanation of the Music school of Marlboro that Adolf Busch created little before its death; a festival with the chamber music spirit, ethics of obliteration of oneself, proximity with the masterpieces, generous transmission by the elder ones with young people. Until the end of its life, it will perpetuate this spirit, by the choice of works, of its guests and partners. After their London interpretation of the integral of the concerti for piano of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, it collaborates with Claudio Abbado in a foundation to equip the young people out of instruments. Reached of a cancer, it will occur with dignity in concert until in 1988. He is the father of the pianist Peter Serkin.

Its art

Its haughty play, ragor and energetic east however impress simple poetry, with the initiatory arc of solar celestial with the deepest abyss. By its tension, its rigor, its austerity, its scorn of any sentimentalism, its art implacably reveals silences, indignations of the type-setters whom it served.

Quotations

It goes until the end. Claudio Arrau
It resembles a scientist and plays like an angel.

Selective discography

Bach: 5 {{E}} Brandenburger Concerto with the Chamber orchestra Busch;
Beethoven :

Sonatas for Op.109 piano, 110,111 (numbers 30,31,32) . Concert of October 1987 in Konzerthaus of Vienna. CD Deutsche Grammophon 427.498-2 (1989).
Sonata for piano COp 106,

Variation S on a Waltz of Diabelli COp 120 ,

3rd Concerto for Piano and Orchestra COp 37 with the Philharmonic orchestra of New York directed by Leonard Bernstein;

Brahms :

Quartet for piano and cords COp 25 , Quartet for piano and cords COp 26 with the Busch Quartet,

Quintet for Piano and cords COp 34 with the Quartet Busch,

Quintet for Clarinet and cords COp 115 with Reginald Kell and the Busch Quartet,

Trio for piano, violin and horn COp 40 with Adolf Busch and Audrey Brain,

1st concerto for piano COp 15 with the Orchestra from Cleveland directed by George Szell;

Mozart:

Concerto for piano K. 466 with the Orchestra of the festival of Marlboro directed by Alexander Schneider,

Concerto for piano K. 488 with the Symphony orchestra Columbia directed by Alexander Schneider,

Concerto for piano K. 503 with the Symphony orchestra of London directed by Claudio Abbado;

Schubert :

Trio for Piano, Violin, Violoncello D. 929 with Adolf Busch and Hermann Busch, its first disc; the topic “Swedish” of this trio illustrates the film Barry Lindon of Stanley Kubrick,

Sonate for piano D.959 ,

Auf DER strom D. 943 with Benita Valente, Soprano.

Rewards

Grammy Award of interpretation of chamber music :

Mstislav Rostropovitch & Rudolf Serkin in the Sonata for violoncello and piano in semi minor, COp 38 and the Sonata in major F, COp 99 of Brahms.

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