September 2007
But Powell died before electrical recording came into being, and by the middle of the last century, she had been largely forgotten. Some two decades ago, however, Karen A. Shaffer brought out a definitive biography, created the Maud Powell Foundation for Music and Education, and issued Ward Marstons remarkable CD transfers of all of Powells pre-electrical recordings (subsequently given wider circulation on the Naxos label). In 1995 she sent the biography to Rachel Barton Pine, who had never heard of Maud Powell, but was moved to do her own part in restoring Powells place of honor among America musicians. This lovely hommage -- 21 tracks on the CD, an additional piece available to download -- is a stunning consequence of Ms. Pines motivation. Powell composed no original music; assembled here are pieces dedicated to her by such contemporaries as Henry Holden Huss, Herman Bellstedt, Jr., Harry Gilbert, Cecil Burleigh, Marion Bauer, Max Liebling, Amy Beach and Carl Venth, and Powells arrangements of music by Sibelius, Dvorak, Chopin, Massenet and others. All the material reflects to some degree the sort of musician Powell was, and no one seems to have performed it since she herself did. This generous recording might stand on its own merit, as a beautifully played and vibrantly recorded collection of mostly unfamiliar music, but it is substantially enhanced by Ms. Pines introduction, and still more by Karen Shaffers extended notes, with enlightening background on every piece. This is an elegant production in every respect. GO BACK TO: |