Considering his reputation as a pianist’s pianist, John Browning (1933-2003) made surprisingly few solo recordings. The first in a series of four discs devoted to previously unreleased archival live performances preserves a brief recital that took place at the College of William and Mary on November 22, 1963, the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Rather than cancel, the presenters decided to use the concert as a forum for the college community to be together. Browning altered his program to suit the occasion, announced the selections from the stage, and requested no applause.
The Bach Chorale Prelude, Schubert Impromptu, and Chopin Mazurkas stand out for Browning’s patient phrasing and heartfelt projection of the melodies. He takes the F minor Fantasy’s slower sections more expansively than usual and unleashes terse, ferocious climaxes that would convey anger even under less tragic circumstances. The B-flat minor sonata receives a headlong performance characterized by purposeful sweep and steel-wristed authority that replicates Rachmaninov’s classic 1930 recording through a more objective aesthetic. It’s all too easy to read an obvious subtext into Browning’s outsized dynamics in the famous Funeral March movement, but the enigmatic finale proves no less intense–and technically quite staggering. We then hear Browning quickly rise from the bench and walk off stage in silence.
Be forewarned of the poor sound quality, with high levels of wow and flutter that make the piano appear to be under water. Still, a heavy hearted sense of occasion comes through, as does Browning’s moving, communicative music-making.
