Arrau plays Weber’s Konzertstück (live, 1945)

Claudio Arrau (piano) George Szell (conductor) New York Philharmonic Orchestra The Konzertstück op. 79 by Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826) was composed in 1821 and was the last concerto-style piece that the composer wrote. This live performance, given by Claudio Arrau with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra under George Szell, was broadcast on 11 March 1945 in a programme that also included Strauss’s Burleske. Although Arrau and Szell often worked together they made no commercial recordings. However, there are several surviving radio broadcasts. The broad tempos that Arrau favoured in his mature years are certainly not apparent in this performance!