Solomon (1902-1988) was one of the best and most successful concert pianists in the world when in December 1956 his career came to an abrupt end after a debilitating stroke. This collection is the first to offer an overview that ranges from the most important early recordings such as Brahms’s Handel Variations and the concerto by Arthur Bliss premiered by Solomon, via the exemplary Beethoven sonatas, to the last performances in Rome, Berlin and London. The critics praised Solomon's recordings, above all, for his tonally beautiful, powerful and yet sophisticated playing. On the subject of the Beethoven sonatas, Joachim Kaiser praised the inner meaning of Solomon’s “austerity”, perceiving an astringency, a fire sparked by the work itself, a total commitment to the interpretation and meaning of every single note.

REVIEW:

Solomon’s coloristic intuition and refined tonal qualities, combined with a well handled rubato, are wonderfully vivid, especially in the solo pieces included here. Whoever is satisfied with pure beauty and brilliant pianism is certainly well served.

– Pizzicato (Remy Franck)