This recording represents the coming together of three giants: the immense Johann Sebastian Bach, the king of the piano Leopold Godowsky, and Stephen Paulello's Opus 102 instrument. A true star in his time, Leopold Godowsky (1870-1938) was the most sought-after and best-paid virtuoso of the period known as the "golden age" of the piano. Travelling the world to perform concerts, this workaholic taught his art in the most prestigious institutions (New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Berlin, Vienna). His hand-picked students called him Mr. God.
He trained a whole generation of first-rate pianists, including Jorge Bolet and Heinrich Neuhaus, who was to become the most famous pedagogue of the 20th century. He was at ease in society, frequenting the great scientists (Albert Einstein), Hollywood actors (Charlie Chaplin) and painters (Henri Matisse). He also befriended the highest echelons of the musical world: Horowitz, Rachmaninov, Rubinstein, Busoni, Hofmann, Friedman, Paderewski for pianists, but also composers: Saint-Saëns, Ravel, Mahler, Gershwin, Grieg... © Klarthe Records