Nelson Freire

Herman

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Nov 1, 2021, 8:21:53 AM11/1/21

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Nelson Freire died last weekend, 77 years old, two years after a bad fall, and one year after his companion Rosana Martins died.

A life well-spent.

Let's talk about his best recordings?

HT

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Nov 1, 2021, 9:50:03 AM11/1/21

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Op maandag 1 november 2021 om 13:21:53 UTC+1 schreef Herman:

> Nelson Freire died last weekend, 77 years old, two years after a bad fall, and one year after his companion Rosana Martins died.
>
> A life well-spent.
>
> Let's talk about his best recordings?

I am sorry to hear this. For me his best recording is his Brasileiro CD.

Henk

Steve Emerson

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Nov 1, 2021, 10:39:35 AM11/1/21

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https://www.francemusique.fr/actualite-musicale/la-perte-d-un-geant-le-pianiste-nelson-freire-nous-a-quittes

Yes, a very well-spent life and an utterly admirable musician. Offhand, I think of the Chopin Sonata 3, the early live recording; Chopin Scherzos and a few mazurkas; he was terrific in the Brahms sonatas. The Teldec Villa Lobos, ca. 1974, is my favorite V-L CD.

Here's a San Francisco recital I was lucky enough to attend, 2009:

http://www.chambermusicsf.org/VirtualConcertHall.htm#freire

SE.

HT

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Nov 1, 2021, 2:25:20 PM11/1/21

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Op maandag 1 november 2021 om 15:39:35 UTC+1 schreef Steve Emerson:

Dear Steve,

Many thanks for the links! Is there a difference between the Teldec, Apex and Decca CD?

Kind regards,
Henk

Al Eisner

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Nov 1, 2021, 4:09:30 PM11/1/21

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I attended that recital in Mountain View, CA, probably my favorite
piano recital of the last two decades. That linked video only
includes the second half. The first half opened with a Papillons
that was probably the most magical part of the program (I recall
his recording on Decca as being nearly as good) and continued
with Brahns sonata #2.

Perhaps best of all, however, as I've said here before, was the specific
performance of the Schumann Fantasie included in the GPOC series:
https://www.amazon.com/Nelson-Freire-Great-Pianists-Century/dp/B00000I941/

One of my favorite pianists; he will be missed.
--
Al Eisner

Message has been deleted

Graham

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Nov 1, 2021, 5:12:13 PM11/1/21

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Many thanks for a superb recital. Not only that but it is a perfect
video - just one fixed camera! None of the constant swanning around that
ruins nearly all recital videos.

Steve Emerson

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Nov 1, 2021, 8:08:06 PM11/1/21

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Thanks for these recital notes, Al. I thought he had played that Brahms sonata but couldn't confirm, nor was I exactly sure whether it was #2 or #1; only that it was remarkable -- great piece of advocacy.

best,
SE.

Steve Emerson

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Nov 1, 2021, 8:11:13 PM11/1/21

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Hi Henk,

The Apex release is the Teldec recording. I probably should have called it Apex; I have it on Teldec vinyl as well but I think the only CD release (long in coming) was the Apex. Decca would be a different recording, I'd imagine.

Best,
SE.

The Indian Pianist

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Nov 2, 2021, 12:47:10 AM11/2/21

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I wish I had known about this guy while he was still alive.

gggg gggg

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Nov 2, 2021, 1:18:26 PM11/2/21

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On Monday, November 1, 2021 at 5:21:53 AM UTC-7, Herman wrote:

(Recent Y. upload):

Debussy: D'un cahier d'esquisses, L.99

Al Eisner

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Nov 2, 2021, 7:47:48 PM11/2/21

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No problem - I save the programs, so once you provided the year it was
easy to find. The printed program actually listed a Mozart sonata,
but he played Papillons instead (I noted that at the time). Did he
so the same in SF? I had forgotten how good his Berceuse and Scherzo (#4)
were, a fitting memorial. (The Villa Lobos on the video is also
greatly enjoyable. Can you identify the second and third encores?)
--
Al Eisner

Charles Timbrell

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Nov 3, 2021, 9:00:47 PM11/3/21

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Any rumors about suicide are completely false! I have the word of those present. Martha was with him for many days and played for him some Schubert.

Herman

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Nov 3, 2021, 9:46:45 PM11/3/21

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Well, thanks for trying to plant those rumors.

Bob Harper

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Nov 4, 2021, 12:34:45 PM11/4/21

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Was he, Herman? I haven't seen any, but I haven't looked. Seems to me
the gentleman was seeking dispel, rather than plant, such rumors.

Sometimes you are too cynical by half.

Bob Harper

Herman

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Nov 4, 2021, 2:10:45 PM11/4/21

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On Thursday, November 4, 2021 at 5:34:45 PM UTC+1, Bob Harper wrote:
>
> >
> Was he, Herman? I haven't seen any, but I haven't looked. Seems to me
> the gentleman was seeking dispel, rather than plant, such rumors.
>
> Sometimes you are too cynical by half.
>
> Bob Harper

No one here had even hinted at such a DIY hypothesis, so why 'dispel' it.
I checked google, and AFAICT no source reflected on google even talked about this.

HT

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Nov 4, 2021, 2:21:54 PM11/4/21

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Op dinsdag 2 november 2021 om 01:11:13 UTC+1 schreef Steve Emerson:

Steve,

I checked, and Apex, Decca and Teldec are the same recording.

Kind regards,
Henk

Frank Berger

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Nov 4, 2021, 3:25:37 PM11/4/21

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"Here" is a trivially small place. In the OP's circles there could easily be runors, especially under the circumstances surrounding Freire's health.
There are two possibilities. He is a troll, making up the suicide story, or he isn't. Your mileage may vary, but I suspect the latter.

Herman

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Nov 4, 2021, 3:54:45 PM11/4/21

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Frank, I don't think he's a troll. Whenever somebody famous dies, people in the wider online world start to speculate why and how. To some people it's just hard to figure somebody just dies because he's old and tired (and in the case of age one's mileage may vary, too), so chatter ensues. It's part of the current internet m.o.

Steve Emerson

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Nov 4, 2021, 4:42:12 PM11/4/21

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I saw the suicide theory floated by a prominent figure in the world of pianists; grateful to Prof. Timbrell for the suggestion that it's wrong.

SE.

Frank Berger

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Nov 4, 2021, 5:28:46 PM11/4/21

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So you think that his statement that Freire did not commit suicide was a tricky attempt at starting such a rumor. You are strange dude.

Herman

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Nov 4, 2021, 5:59:43 PM11/4/21

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No that's not what I thought. I just said, whenever somebody famous dies, there will be folks online who'll suggest it was suicide. However this post by Mr Timbrell was the first one HERE mentioning it, and now we're discussing it.

Frank Berger

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Nov 4, 2021, 7:29:46 PM11/4/21

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Not any more.

Charles Timbrell

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Nov 4, 2021, 8:54:00 PM11/4/21

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The "plant" was done on Facebook by someone who knew him and who frequents this site. So don't accuse me of that! I was trying to dispel incorrect information, but that seems to be difficult to do on this site......!

Bob Harper

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Nov 5, 2021, 1:25:29 PM11/5/21

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There you go, Herman. Disgusting, to be sure, but in need of contradiction.

Bob Harper

Bob Harper

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Nov 5, 2021, 1:28:34 PM11/5/21

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In this case, sir, I believe you have succeeded. A great artist's
reputation should not be sullied by unfounded rumors any more than
anyone else's. Thank you.

Bob Harper

Herman

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Nov 5, 2021, 1:48:13 PM11/5/21

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Okay, fine. I can't help but thinking most of us would never heard of this rumor, but I'm fine with this.

And let's keep in mind tipping over, taking a fall is something definitely to be avoided over age 65.

Bob Harper

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Nov 5, 2021, 8:52:26 PM11/5/21

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That's why I don't get on my roof to blow the leaves off in the fall any
more. I was up there past 65 (our roof has a shallow pitch :)), but gave
it up a few years ago. Wouldn't dream of it today.

Bob Harper

Herman

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Nov 6, 2021, 8:06:03 AM11/6/21

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On Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 1:52:26 AM UTC+1, Bob Harper wrote:
>
> >
> That's why I don't get on my roof to blow the leaves off in the fall any
> more. I was up there past 65 (our roof has a shallow pitch :)), but gave
> it up a few years ago. Wouldn't dream of it today.
>
> Bob Harper

Or even doing Astaire moves on the stairs.

Charles Timbrell

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Nov 6, 2021, 7:11:16 PM11/6/21

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The best live performance I have ever heard of Papillons was by Novaes at the University of Michigan in 1967. Every measure sounded improvised and magical, yet it was never self-conscious or eccentric. Her LP recording (date?) captures only some of this.

Charles Timbrell

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Nov 6, 2021, 7:14:56 PM11/6/21

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Steve--- only we know who posted that suicide "fact" on Facebook. But I will not say who, being a more discreet person than that poster....!

Bob Harper

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Nov 6, 2021, 11:34:36 PM11/6/21

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Never was able to do that. Two left feet :).

Bob Harper

Frank Berger

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Nov 7, 2021, 12:03:31 AM11/7/21

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Being left-handed (or footed), it never occurred to me until now to resent that expression. Why isn't it two right feet? Hummph.

Bob Harper

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Nov 7, 2021, 12:52:19 PM11/7/21

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I'm left-handed as well, but it's just a saying. I suspect it goes back
to other connotations equating the sinister (left) with evil/sin. Sheep
on the right, goats on the left, for example. I prefer to think of us as
a select group :).

Bob Harper

Herman

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Nov 7, 2021, 1:24:08 PM11/7/21

to

On Sunday, November 7, 2021 at 6:52:19 PM UTC+1, Bob Harper wrote:
>
> >
> I'm left-handed as well, but it's just a saying. I suspect it goes back
> to other connotations equating the sinister (left) with evil/sin. Sheep
> on the right, goats on the left, for example. I prefer to think of us as
> a select group :).
>
> Bob Harper

Or the Left Coast, haha.

The funny thing is, in highly superstitious ancient Greek the left hand was called euonymos, 'the one we can only say good things about'.

Bob Harper

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Nov 7, 2021, 3:47:20 PM11/7/21

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I did not know that. Thanks. Seems much more appropriate :).

Bob Harper

Paul A

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Nov 7, 2021, 10:05:47 PM11/7/21

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I heard that everyone is born right-handed... but only the greatest of us can overcome it!

:>)

Frank Berger

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Nov 7, 2021, 11:32:35 PM11/7/21

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Ironically, I recently read (not sure if this is one of many theories or accepted fact) that left-handedness arises from damage to the developing fetus. Not sure what kind of damage, but it is consistent, at least, with the observation that left-handedness occurs more often in twins (fraternal and identical) than in singles. I guess the fact of twins is stressful, and results in whatever kind of damage we're talking about. I wish I could be more precise.

Al Eisner

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Nov 8, 2021, 5:58:49 PM11/8/21

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On Sat, 6 Nov 2021, Charles Timbrell wrote:

> On Monday, November 1, 2021 at 4:09:30 PM UTC-4, Al Eisner wrote:
>> On Mon, 1 Nov 2021, Steve Emerson wrote:
>>
>>> On Monday, November 1, 2021 at 5:21:53 AM UTC-7, Herman wrote:
>>>> Nelson Freire died last weekend, 77 years old, two years after a bad fall, and one year after his companion Rosana Martins died.
>>>>
>>>> A life well-spent.
>>>>
>>>> Let's talk about his best recordings?
>>>
>>>
>>> https://www.francemusique.fr/actualite-musicale/la-perte-d-un-geant-le-pianiste-nelson-freire-nous-a-quittes
>>>
>>> Yes, a very well-spent life and an utterly admirable musician. Offhand, I think of the Chopin Sonata 3, the early live recording; Chopin Scherzos and a few mazurkas; he was terrific in the Brahms sonatas. The Teldec Villa Lobos, ca. 1974, is my favorite V-L CD.
>>>
>>> Here's a San Francisco recital I was lucky enough to attend, 2009:
>>>
>>> http://www.chambermusicsf.org/VirtualConcertHall.htm#freire
>>>
>>> SE.
>> I attended that recital in Mountain View, CA, probably my favorite
>> piano recital of the last two decades. That linked video only
>> includes the second half. The first half opened with a Papillons
>> that was probably the most magical part of the program (I recall
>> his recording on Decca as being nearly as good) and continued
>> with Brahns sonata #2.
>>
>> Perhaps best of all, however, as I've said here before, was the specific
>> performance of the Schumann Fantasie included in the GPOC series:
>> https://www.amazon.com/Nelson-Freire-Great-Pianists-Century/dp/B00000I941/
>>
>> One of my favorite pianists; he will be missed.

> The best live performance I have ever heard of Papillons was by Novaes at the University of Michigan in 1967. Every measure sounded improvised and magical, yet it was never self-conscious or eccentric. Her LP recording (date?) captures only some of this.

Her Vox LP (mono, likely 1950's) was my first introduction to recordings
of Schumann's piano music. I recall greatly enjoying it, but of
course for me there was no competition at the time. (Still available
as a vinyl reissue.) We don't seem to hear much of Novaes these days....
--
Al Eisner

Frank Berger

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Nov 8, 2021, 8:29:39 PM11/8/21

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Her 1951 Schumann recordings were released by Vox on CD.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/224323074897?epid=16046033170&hash=item343ab27b51:g:fCcAAOSwhQhY5UqP

Paul A

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Nov 9, 2021, 12:00:23 AM11/9/21

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KxeVYP7rT0&list=OLAK5uy_lD4u-mhGn5ABXHZXPOkikoOnRs4WhQjg4

Herman

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Nov 9, 2021, 3:38:49 AM11/9/21

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Such fun these blind youtube links.

So why don't I identify Paul's link for people who think they are going to click on a Nelson Freire recoding and then find it's Guiomar Novaes, who also happens to be Brazilian, so what's the diff?

Steve Emerson

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Nov 9, 2021, 12:19:35 PM11/9/21

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On Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at 12:38:49 AM UTC-8, Herman wrote:
> Such fun these blind youtube links.
>
> So why don't I identify Paul's link for people who think they are going to click on a Nelson Freire recoding and then find it's Guiomar Novaes, who also happens to be Brazilian, so what's the diff?

That will be very helpful for those who haven't been reading the thread.

SE.

HT

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Nov 9, 2021, 12:54:06 PM11/9/21

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Op dinsdag 9 november 2021 om 18:19:35 UTC+1 schreef Steve Emerson:

<g> Seconded!

Henk