Minoru Nojima plays Brahms Variations on a Theme of Paganini (1970)

Minoru Nojima's 1970 studio recording of Brahms Variations on a Theme of Paganini Op.35. The great Japanese pianist has recorded remarkably little for a pianist of his capabilities, with only two solo discs released in the West in the mid-1980s having captured the attention of piano fans. This first studio account of the pianist from 1970 featuring works by Brahms and Liszt demonstrates his fusion of flawless technical command and musical integrity, with dazzling fingerwork, seamless phrasing, marvellous balance of primary and inner voices, iron-clad rhythmic pulse, and refined dynamic control.
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[@AntonioCastagna]

A splendid execution!

[@Pianofortwo]

an amazing pianist I treasure the Ravel and Liszt records

[@mtmokmr3057]

He is my favorite pianist !!

[@donaldwright6617]

An absolutely staggering performance!

[@MrClassicalMusic1]

Very talented pianist. Nicely transferred.

[@echorrhea]

Nojima is indeed a brilliant pianist. His voicing and shading are unlike almost anything else one can hear today. And this-a truly magisterial and Romantic reading.
Japan has a superb Western classical musical tradition that, for reasons which escape me, generally has not been well-promoted. Names like Takemitsu, Uchida, and Ozawa are world-famous, of course. But there are numerous composers and performers going back to the early Shōwa era (1920s - 1940s) who were the equal of many Westerners and merited far wider careers than they had. Some especially wonderful pianists, now long dead, among them waiting to be discovered by a global audience. Reissues on CD of their work have never ventured beyond Japan, however.

[@robertvalentinoscolaro7394]

Trully wonderful. You observations are indeed on the point

[@Patafisique]

His Liszt Sonata is one of my personal favourites. Thanks for the upload!

[@daviddesbois9844]

same

[@pianopera]

A wonderful recording of both books of the Paganini Variations!
If my information is correct, Nojima is running his own competition now in Japan. Apart from that, I don't think he is concertizing much, instead doing some teaching and adjudicating.

[@pianopera]

May he rest in peace...

[@WarinPartita6]

Bravo!

[@calebhu6383]

15:18

[@TedFrancis]

This performance is truly a revelation!! I thought I knew this work... silly me!

[@robertvalentinoscolaro7394]

Yes, it S a revelation. Aa romantic approach.

[@robertvalentinoscolaro7394]

Bravo

[@ADGO]

No question his studies in Russia paid off. Thanks.

[@privateprivate22]

Oborin. Do you know the years he studied in Moscow?

[@calebhu6383]

11:16, 12:16

[@GICM]

11:02