Impromptu N.º 2 Fis-dur Op. 36 / Ballade N.º 2 F-dur Op. 38 / La Campanella, Grosse Etude Nr. 3 / Carnaval De Vienne

This Telefunken 78-rpm shellac disc serves as a specialized archival capture of Poldi Mildner’s pianism, produced during the mid-20th century. Telefunken records from this era were frequently distributed to preserve the technical facility of concert pianists whose careers spanned the transition between the late Romantic tradition and the burgeoning era of high-fidelity recording. The catalog number LB 6060 reflects the label’s commitment to documenting virtuosic repertoire, including the complex technical demands of Liszt’s La Campanella and the structural nuance of Chopin’s Impromptus.

Poldi Mildner, an Austrian pianist renowned for her power and brilliant technique, was often compared to the legendary keyboard virtuosos of the early 20th century. Her approach to the repertoire featured on this disc emphasizes clarity and the percussive, bravura style favored by the Lisztian school. By recording these works for Telefunken, Mildner participated in a legacy of capturing mid-career performances that showcased the evolving standards of classical interpretation, focusing on the rigorous discipline required to navigate the dense, acrobatic arrangements favored by composers like Busoni and Rosenthal.