Australian pianist William Murdoch (1888-1942) is almost forgotten today but was a major UK Columbia recording artist in the 1920s. A consummate musician, he was known as a chamber player as much as a soloist, as evidenced by many recordings, but was also the first pianist to record Beethoven's 3rd piano concerto (acoustically in 1925). Amongst his solo recordings, pride of place must go to the two Beethoven sonatas which burst with energy and passion while never descending into superficiality. A little known and fascinating part of his legacy is his recording of the eight test pieces written for the National Piano Competition of 1928 organized by the Daily Express. This unique event was open to pianists of all abilities from beginner to advanced and the specially commissioned pieces, by contemporary British composers, reflected these different levels. Murdoch's recordings originally came with spoken commentaries on interpretation.

Tracklist:

Songs Without Words, Book 3, Op. 38: No. 6 In A-Flat Major, Mwv U 119 "Duetto"
Songs Without Words, Book 5, Op. 62: No. 6 In A Major, Mwv U 161 "Spring Song"
Etudes, Op. 25: No. 1 In A-Flat Major "Aeolian Harp"
Waltzes, Op. 34: No. 3 In F Major
Berceuse In D-Flat Major, Op. 57
Ballade No. 3 In A-Flat Major, Op. 47
3 Romanzen, Op. 28: No. 2 In F-Sharp Minor
Liebesträume, S. 541: No. 3, Oh Lieb, So Lang Du Lieben Kannst (After S. 298)
Grandes Études De Paganini, S. 141: No. 3, La Campanella (After Paganini's Op. 7)
Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12 In C-Sharp Minor, S. 244
12 Lieder Von Franz Schubert, S. 558: No. 9, Ständchen Von Shakespeare (After Schubert's D. 889)
3 Marches Militaires, Op. 51, D. 733: No. 1 In D Major (Arr. C. Tausig For Piano Solo)
16 Waltzes, Op. 39: No. 15 In A-Flat Major (Version For Solo Piano)
Humoresques De Concert, Op. 14: No. 1, Minuet In G Major
Scenes Of Country Life, Op. 19: No. 2, Norwegian Bridal Procession
Kuolema, Op. 44: II. Valse Triste (Arr. For Piano Solo)
Morceaux De Fantaisie, Op. 3: II. Prelude In C-Sharp Minor "The Bells Of Moscow" (1926 Recording)
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 5 In G Minor
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 12 In G-Sharp Minor
Morceaux De Fantaisie, Op. 3: II. Prelude In C-Sharp Minor "The Bells Of Moscow" (1931 Recording)
Piano Sonata No. 8 In C Minor, Op. 13 "Pathétique": I. Grave - Allegro Di Molto E Con Brio
Piano Sonata No. 8 In C Minor, Op. 13 "Pathétique": II. Adagio Cantabile
Piano Sonata No. 8 In C Minor, Op. 13 "Pathétique": III. Rondo. Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 23 In F Minor, Op. 57 "Appassionata": I. Allegro Assai
Piano Sonata No. 23 In F Minor, Op. 57 "Appassionata": II. Andante Con Moto
Piano Sonata No. 23 In F Minor, Op. 57 "Appassionata": III. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme, Bwv 645 (Arr. F. Busoni For Piano Solo)
Preludes, Book 1, L. 117: No. 5, Les Collines D'anacapri
Preludes, Book 2, L. 123: No. 5, Bruyères
Preludes, Book 1, L. 117: No. 12, Minstrels
Iberia, B. 47, Book 1: No. 2, El Puerto
4 Piezas Españolas (Excerpts): No. 2, Cubana
4 Piezas Españolas (Excerpts): No. 4, Andaluza
Miniature Scherzo
Sun And Shade
Dew Fairies
Legend
Le Bal Poudre, Op. 54
The Rambling Sailor
Serenata
Primrose Mount
Reverie In B Major, Op. 86
Piano Sonatina: III. Rondo. Ritmico, Non Troppo Allegro

UPC: 5024709160297
Label: Apr Recordings
Release Date: 9.6.19
Format: CD

Complete Solo Electrical / Various 2pk - Complete Solo Electrical (2 CD)