Worth Remembering, Worth Savouring
José Iturbi was a very great pianist. Alas, his sheer popularity with the public during his prime years led to a reaction by "serious classical" listeners and critics to denigrate him. This is largely due to his work for Hollywood; he participated in numerous films. However, Iturbi kept his swashbuckling pianism and image in the films apart from his concert and recording work, where one hears a first-rate musical mind operating. His sister, Amaparo, also was a fine artist in her own right, though mostly known as a duettist with her brother. They loved Mozart's music dearly and played it with great affection and feeling. All of these positive comments clearly come out in this recording of the Iturbis.
