Mindru Katz was born in Romania in 1925, emigrated to Israel, had a successful European career that included recordings for EMI, and died onstage during an Istanbul recital in 1978. This disc of Bach selections is drawn from late-1950s EMI recordings licensed by Cembal d’amour, whose previous reissue of the pianist’s outstanding Khachaturian Concerto kicked off its important Katz series, which, along with this release should help revive interest in this compelling artist. Katz studied with Florica Musicescu, whose pupils included Dinu Lipatti, and Katz recalls that great pianist in his beautiful tone and patrician elegance. The Bach-Busoni Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland opens the disc and immediately establishes those virtues, along with other Katz merits such as his careful melodic shaping and mastery of subtle tonal coloring. He takes a frankly pianistic approach to Bach, eschewing attempts to imitate the harpsichord. In his hands the Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue emerges as an exciting emotional kaleidoscope, and the Italian Concerto, full of subtle dynamic shadings, precise articulation, and discreet rubato, is far removed from the soulless mechanical approach we often hear from Gould wannabes. Its Presto movement is taken at a bracing clip rather than a rocket launch geared to show how fast a pianist can zip through it.
The Concertos fare a bit less well, but only a bit. The Allegro of the F minor is too laid back and the orchestral accompaniment is on the rough side. The Largo, popularized by its use in the film Slaughterhouse Five, won’t efface memories of Gould’s famous recording but it’s quite effective. The spirited D minor benefits from Katz’s dashing last movement cadenza, played with élan and precise articulation. Cembal d’amour is planning to continue the series with private recordings of Katz’s live concerts. I can’t wait!
