Alexandre Goldenweiser (Volume II): Scriabine (Prométhée, Préludes, Mazurkas, Poèmes), Rachmaninov (Melodie, Suite No 1 For 2 Pianos)

This release is part of a dedicated archival series issued by the French label Dante in the late 1990s, specifically curated to preserve the recorded legacy of the legendary Russian pianist and pedagogue Alexander Goldenweiser. Goldenweiser, a contemporary and close friend of both Scriabin and Rachmaninoff, occupies a unique historical position as a direct link to the late Romantic Russian piano tradition. This volume serves as a scholarly effort to digitize and remaster aging shellac transfers, providing a window into the authentic performance styles of the era.

The disc highlights Goldenweiser’s intimate connection to his peers, featuring his interpretations of Scriabin’s introspective works alongside his collaborative efforts in Rachmaninoff's compositions for two pianos. The design of the Dante series was focused on archival integrity, prioritizing the historical value of these rare 78-rpm recordings over modern sonic polish. Upon its release in 1998, the set was received primarily by musicologists and serious piano collectors as a vital resource for understanding the nuances of the Moscow Conservatory tradition as it existed at the turn of the twentieth century.