A treasure trove of Radu Lupu's unreleased recordings has emerged from Decca Records, marking what would have been the pianist's 80th birthday. The six-disc set is a wonderful surprise, featuring studio sessions and radio broadcasts between 1970 and 2002, showcasing Lupu's remarkable range and depth.
One of the most impressive aspects of this release is how well it complements Lupu's existing discography. Mozart's G minor and E flat piano quartets, recorded in 1976 with the Tel Aviv String Quartet, are a highlight – Lupu's playing is both inwardly focused and dazzlingly buoyant, qualities that make these performances mystifying they have never seen light of day before.
The set also includes a sequence of Haydn and Mozart sonatas from the 1970s and 80s, which ends with Schumann's Études Symphoniques. However, it is Lupu's exploration of other repertoire that truly sets this release apart. A thrilling performance of Chopin's B minor Scherzo is juxtaposed with his unlikely venture into Russian music, Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, while a fierce and majestic Copland Sonata rounds out the collection.
One notable aspect of these recordings is the varying levels of technical precision on display. While not all performances are flawless, Lupu's playing remains consistently engaging and rewarding. The recording quality serves the exemplary playing well enough to elevate even the less polished moments into something special.
This release is a testament to Decca Records' dedication to preserving Lupu's legacy and making it accessible to new generations of music lovers. With this wonderful surprise, fans can delve deeper into the pianist's remarkable discography and experience firsthand why he remains one of the most beloved and respected figures in classical music.
One of the most impressive aspects of this release is how well it complements Lupu's existing discography. Mozart's G minor and E flat piano quartets, recorded in 1976 with the Tel Aviv String Quartet, are a highlight – Lupu's playing is both inwardly focused and dazzlingly buoyant, qualities that make these performances mystifying they have never seen light of day before.
The set also includes a sequence of Haydn and Mozart sonatas from the 1970s and 80s, which ends with Schumann's Études Symphoniques. However, it is Lupu's exploration of other repertoire that truly sets this release apart. A thrilling performance of Chopin's B minor Scherzo is juxtaposed with his unlikely venture into Russian music, Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, while a fierce and majestic Copland Sonata rounds out the collection.
One notable aspect of these recordings is the varying levels of technical precision on display. While not all performances are flawless, Lupu's playing remains consistently engaging and rewarding. The recording quality serves the exemplary playing well enough to elevate even the less polished moments into something special.
This release is a testament to Decca Records' dedication to preserving Lupu's legacy and making it accessible to new generations of music lovers. With this wonderful surprise, fans can delve deeper into the pianist's remarkable discography and experience firsthand why he remains one of the most beloved and respected figures in classical music.
. I mean, I love the guy and all, but can't we just have a nice concise collection of his best works instead of an entire treasure trove of everything he ever recorded? The Mozart piano quartets are amazing btw... Lupu's playing is so emotive! 
This is amazing! I mean, can you even imagine not knowing some of Radu Lupu's masterpieces? The fact that Decca Records has put together this treasure trove of his unreleased recordings is a game-changer for music lovers worldwide. It's like getting a glimpse into the mind of a musical genius 
. And the range of repertoire he explored is just incredible – I love how he took on some unconventional pieces like Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition 
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and the chopin scherzo is giving me chills 
guess that's just part of the charm tho! anyway can't wait to dive into this and explore more of his music 
i mean theres this one section where hes playing these super complex piano passages and you can actually feel his fingers moving on the keys its like youre sitting right there with him at the piano listening to the music 
Radu Lupu's unreleased recordings are a treasure trove of talent! The way Decca Records brings out his range & depth is pure gold 
This release is mind-blowing! Interesting! I mean, can you imagine all these unreleased recordings from one of the greatest pianists of all time? It's like we're getting a glimpse into Lupu's mind while he was creating magic on the piano. And the fact that it complements his existing discography so well is just amazing. I'm totally downloading this set and diving in! 
his legacy is still shining so bright with this amazing release, it's like a breath of fresh air to hear all these hidden gems 
and this set complements his existing discography perfectly, no need to choose between old and new 
those chopin scherzos are insane 
and that copland sonata is just so powerful it gives me chills every time. anyone else as obsessed with radu lupu as i am? 
. Six discs is a lot to take in, especially when you're used to navigating online forums where every thread feels like a bloated essay 
. Anyway, Lupu's playing on these recordings is, of course, sublime – the way he handles those Chopin sonatas is just mesmerizing 
. Still, Decca's done a great job preserving his legacy for new fans – here's hoping they'll release more material in the future 
the fact that he explored other repertoire like mussorgsky's pictures at an exhibition is mind-blowing - lupu's playing is so nuanced and expressive, it's like he's having a conversation with the music. 
i love how this release complements his existing discography too, it's like getting to see all the pieces of a puzzle come together! 
what's most impressive is how well these recordings complement his existing discography - it's like we're finally getting the full picture of his artistry 
. It's not just about showcasing Lupu's technical prowess – it's also about showing his soul, his passion for music. This release feels like a gift to fans old and new, and I'm so grateful they're making these incredible performances available again. Can't wait to dig deeper into his discography now!