It is astonishing that Magda Tagliaferro’s name is unknown to many music-lovers. Rarely has there been a pianist with such style, such buoyant, subtle rhythm and such controlled energy, such swagger and sensuality.

These qualities are displayed here in the rare 78rpm recordings she made in the 1930s - the much sought-after Reynaldo Hahn Piano Concerto and performances of her beloved Schumann, Debussy and the music of Spain and South America.

The transfers were originally produced by Roger Beardsley for Pearl and the booklet includes an informative and affectionate note by Jeremy Siepmann.

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 19th January 1893, Magda Tagliaferro was of French parentage, and gave her first recital at the age of seven. She was admitted at the age of 13 to the Paris Conservatoire, where she studied piano with Antoine Marmontel and came under the figurative wing of the Conservatoire’s director Gabriel Fauré. When she was only 14 she won the Conservatoire’s top prize for piano, earning the warm enthusiasm of Saint-Saens and Isaac Albeniz.

Soon afterwards she caught the attention of Alfred Cortot, who later became her teacher. Her concert schedule took her all over the world, though principally in South America and France, and she was a much sought-after soloist in the pre-war years. As a teacher she was famed, having developed the ‘Tagliaferro Technique’ of playing after experiencing technical difficulties early in her career. She gave her Carnegie Hall debut at the age of 86 and her final recital at the age of 92!

Contents:
REYNALDO HAHN: Piano Concerto in E Major, Sonatine
SCHUMANN: Faschingsschwank aus Wien (Grand Prix du Disque)
SCHUMANN: Romance No.2 Op.28
CHOPIN: Impromptu Op. 66
ALBENIZ: Sevilla
[All 1934 Pathé recordings]

MOMPOU: La Rue, le Guitariste et le Vieux Cheval, Jeune fille au jardin (Grand Prix du Disque) [1930 French HMV]
DEBUSSY: Jardin sous la pluie, Toccata [1932 Ultraphone]