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Editorial Reviews

Judging from the sound, these recordings could have been made yesterday. Seymour Solomon's recording is crisp, clean, and deep with an impressive sense of space around the player. Judging from the player, these recordings could likewise have been made yesterday. Earl Wild's lucid technique, bravura clarity, and complete control of every aspect of piano playing suit the first disc's super-virtuoso show pieces as well it does the second disc's equally difficult but infinitely more refined works by Brahms, Chopin, and, inevitably, Liszt. And because Wild's long career spanned the entire second half of the last century and his magnificent technique and supreme artistry never flagged, it is possible that these recordings could have been made any time since the invention of stereo.

Judging from the documentation, these recordings could indeed have come from anytime since the invention of stereo. Aside from crediting Seymour Solomon, the founder and owner of Vanguard Records, as producer, they fail to mention when these performances were recorded or originally released. In some ultimate sense, perhaps it doesn't matter: the sound and the performances are timeless. But it would still be good to know, and while Vanguard is to be commended for releasing Wild's wonderful performances, they are to be chided for not indicating when they were recorded or originally released. James Leonard, All Music Guide

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