On this episode of Concerts Plus, host Robert Sherman and guests explore the repertoire of works for piano one-hand in a program of live music and conversation. Martin Bookspan hosts the intermission feature.

This program was broadcast live before a studio audience in the WQXR Concert Theater.

Note: This recording contains an additional thirty-five minutes of performances and conversation which were never broadcast.


From host Robert Sherman's notes:

Several years ago, Concerts Plus unveiled a remarkable keyboard fest, wherein we added one hand per piece until we reached the grand finale of a Smetana Polka for eight hands and two pianos. Our aims today are somewhat more modest, though hardly less fascinating, since our pianist could accomplish most of it with one hand tied behind his back. We don't recommend that you adopt the procedure in the audience, though-it cuts down the applause something awful!

Boris Berman, pianist
Simca Heled, cellist
The Orford String Quartet
Andrew Dawes, 1st violinist
Kenneth Perkins, 2nd violinist
Sophie Renshaw, violist
Denis Brott, cellist

Bach: Chacone, from the Partita in D minor for violin solo arranged for piano left hand by Brahms.

Scriabin: Prelude and Nocturne for piano left hand, Op.9

Korngold: Lied, the fourth movement from Suite, Op. 23 for 2 violins, cello and piano left hand.

Schmidt: "Sehr lebhaft" (Very lively), the finale from Quintet in G major for piano left hand and strings.

Absil: Tendre, for the right hand only from Trois pièces, op. 32

Stravinsky: Trois pièces faciles: March, Waltz, Polka

WNYC archives id: 152103