The pianist David Wilde has died, aged 90. It appears he was performing well into his 80s. Best remembered perhaps for his recordings for Lisztomania (Ken Russell's film) he recorded much else besides and was also a composer whose compositions reflect his humanitarian beliefs.
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My dad heard him a few times at Hull University in the late seventies. We had an off air recording of him playing the Tchaikovsky Concerto at the Proms. -
I always enjoyed his playing very much. Hadn't realised he composed as well.Comment
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I well recall his TV programme about Liszt which I watched with my mother,perhaps 50 years ago. We were both deeply impressed. I remember particularly his performance of the Liebestod transcription at the end.Comment
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I played in various orchestras that worked with him in Scotland. Nice bloke, very musical and very professional. I’m sure I played a couple of his orchestral works but, alas, I don’t recall much about them.
RIP.
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There was also a Radio 3 series in 1975, I think, in which he talked about, and illustrated, early 20th century pianists, finishing with Rubinstein and Horovitz. Introduced me to, inter alia, Morirs Rosenthal and Cortot. At a time when for many Schnabel could do no wrong, he had decided reservations.Originally posted by smittims View Post
There was a Saga LP, I think, of the Liszt Sonata?Comment
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...amd who could forget the televised Prom performance of the Hexameron for six panos and orchestra, in which he impersonated Liszt? .Comment
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What I chiefly remember is how unpleasant six Steinways sound when played together. I would much rather have heard him play Liszt solo.Originally posted by smittims View PostComment
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