Copy of 1977: Grand Disque Haydn
1977
Grand Prix du Disque of the Academie Charles Cros for the recording of the complete piano works of Joseph Haydn
““The recording of the entire piano works of Joseph Haydn was a turning point in my career. Only a few of Haydn’s more than 50 piano sonatas have entered our concert repertoire. For me, this work on the little-known Haydn piano oeuvre was the ideal basis for the mastery of the classical style, which Beethoven had perfected. And there was even a world première: The finale of the Sonata in E flat major, Hob XVI/18, was discovered, which until then had been considered lost. Of course I immediately integrated the new discovery!
Now, in hindsight, I realise how important this phase was for me. I learned discipline, articulation, phrasing - abilities that still benefit me today when I play Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, Chopin or even Beethoven and Mozart! The intensive study of Haydn fertilised me like a highly effective musical nutrient solution. The result was eighteen LP records. It was a special surprise for me that I was awarded the Grand Prix du Disque for this complete recording.””