August 11,
2008
New-Old-Stock Music
While at a rummage
sale, I came across two of pianist Leon Fleisher's six recordings on LP. It's not easy to
find Fleisher recordings. In the mid-1960s, he developed a neurological problem, focal
dystonia, which caused two fingers of his right hand to become immobile. Thus, the body of
his recorded work is over 40 years old and was unreleased on CD -- until now.
To commemorate Fleisher's 80th birthday, Sony BMG
Masterworks has released those six recordings in digital format through iTunes and other
music-download providers. But for those of us who prefer to own the digital media, there
are "on demand" CDs available from Arkiv Music.
Actually these are CD-Rs with full artwork and liner notes created as they are ordered.
This sales model allows Arkiv Music to keep its overhead low, creating the discs only as
they are purchased, and fans of classical piano can finally hear Leon Fleisher's important
readings of Liszt and Brahms without having to find his LPs at a rummage sale or on eBay.
The CDs sound spacious and detailed, not at all sonically dated.
But the new ideas on music distribution and
marketing don't end there. Fleisher has also recorded a series of podcasts that are
available on iTunes. A renowned music teacher, he recounts the challenges of his early
career, most significantly his battle with focal dystonia. He also recalls his
interactions with some of the most formidable musical artists of the 20th century,
including Artur Schnabel, George Szell and Leonard Bernstein. To hear these podcasts, go
to www.sonybmgmasterworks.com/podcast/.
After decades of treatment, Fleisher began
playing with both hands again in 1995, and he is touring in support of his CDs. This is
the only nod to tradition in the release and promotion of these older recordings made new
again.
...Marc Mickelson
editor@soundstage.com
