More Cor de Groot

After I posted Cor de Groot's recording of Beethoven's fourth concerto, my friend Fred of Random Classics told me he found de Groot's version of the fifth concerto on European Archive. So I thought I would go get that recording for you and post it here in a refurbished edition.

It's a beautiful rendition in vivid sound. De Groot benefits once again from the strong conducting of Willem van Otterloo, here leading the Residentie Orchestra of The Hague.

But that's not all (as they say in the ads). My newest blogger acquaintance, Satyr, has posted a couple of de Groot items on his excellent blog, 78 toeren en LP's - the Rachmaninoff second concerto, and Strauss' Burleske, transferred from 78s. Satyr has already posted many unusual and interesting items on his new site. He features Dutch musicians and composers, but not exclusively - the most recent post is of Sir Henry J. Wood. Please go visit him and leave a comment - the blog is in Dutch, but he speaks very good English.

The link to the Beethoven Emporer is below. My next de Groot post will be his recording of Morton Gould's Interplay, dedicated to my friend Mel, who requested it.

Cor de Groot

I'm starting on a new series of recordings by the outstanding Dutch pianist Cor de Groot. This 10-inch LP of Beethoven's fourth concerto was made at the height of de Groot's career, in 1955, four years before he lost the use of his right hand.

The pianist was 41 when this concerto was recorded; it was only 12 years after he had first come to prominence by substituting for Wilhelm Backhaus in Beethoven's third concerto.

This is a superb performance, displaying de Groot's gorgeous tone, flawless technique, sensitivity and elegance. The accompaniment by the Vienna Symphony and Willem van Otterloo also is quite good. And the disk is nicely recorded. One small issue is that the English Philips pressing has a persistent rustle in the first movement and some swish in the second. (De Groot seems to be pressing his own records in the photo at right, which I purloined from Rudolf Bruil's interesting site.) Enduring the slight noise is worth it to hear this fine interpretation.

I've been trying to recall what other de Groot recordings are in my collection and so far have located items by Rachmaninoff, Liszt and Morton Gould. I'll probably feature the Gould next because it is the least often heard.

Hope you enjoy this excellent artist.