Solomon plays Brahms Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Händel

If you wish to support The Piano Files, please consider membership at my Patreon page: ​ British pianist Solomon’s 1942 HMV recording of the Brahms Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Handel, . Solomon had attempted to record this work at a May 19, 1941 session with producer Walter Legge, only for the project to be abandoned after three sides were recorded (perhaps due to war-time interference). They returned to the studio to begin afresh in July 1942 and the project would require more sessions than usual for the technically composed Solomon: the 6 sides required a total of five sessions between July 7 and August 5, some sessions yielding only a single usable take (and one yielding none). The result, however, is remarkable, one of the landmark recordings of the massive composition. Solomon’s gorgeous singing tone, enormous dynamic range, and beguiling legato phrasing are put to great use in this patrician yet thrilling reading: noble