Loving Miss Hatto

[Diapason]

Did anyone else see this on the BBC over Christmas? I recorded it at the time but only just got to watch it. It's a pretty good story (I remember all the excitement about her discs at the time) and as an added bonus it was all shot in Dublin. Seeing the inside of kid NCH used as a proxy for the Royal Festival Hall was funny.

So, anyone own any "Hatto" discs?

[Jared]

I'm sorry Simon... this one has passed me by.

[Ciaran]

It was interesting to see the Dublin locations... TCD Exam Hall for her audition, but I didn't really like it and switched off about half-way through, even though I was fascinated by the Hatto scandal at the time. Gramophone reviews were so glowing that I was thinking about getting some of her CDs, though I found the story odd, and the fact that her repertoire was so much bigger than that of any pianist I'd ever heard of made me wonder if it could be possible.

[Diapason]

I also remember thinking at the time that it was very odd for her to have such a wide repertoire, and even if she did, surely she couldn't be brilliant at everything. Fascinating story indeed.

[DonKC]

I listened the heck out of an old LP while a teen, one my parents had. It was George Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue and American in Paris with the (obvious recording orchestra) New York Symphonica conducted by George Byrd. I remember the album because it made a big deal of Mr. Byrd being "the most celebrated colored conductor in the USA". The album was lost in a flooded basement years ago, but when I tried to find some information on it, turns out it was the real Joyce Hatto on the piano. I am trying to find a copy.

I paid a good sum for Concert Artist CACD Godowsky Chopin Etudes Studies after a glowing review. They were part Marc-Andre Hamelin, part Ian Hobson and perhaps another pianist or two. I still have it somewhere...

[Seán]

I listened the heck out of an old LP while a teen, one my parents had. It was George Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue and American in Paris with the (obvious recording orchestra) New York Symphonica conducted by George Byrd. I remember the album because it made a big deal of Mr. Byrd being "the most celebrated colored conductor in the USA". The album was lost in a flooded basement years ago, but when I tried to find some information on it, turns out it was the real Joyce Hatto on the piano. I am trying to find a copy.

I paid a good sum for Concert Artist CACD Godowsky Chopin Etudes Studies after a glowing review. They were part Marc-Andre Hamelin, part Ian Hobson and perhaps another pianist or two. I still have it somewhere...

Hi Donald(opato) and a big warm welcome to Tír Na HiFi.

[DonKC]

Thank you Seán, I see some familiar names and interesting topics. Yes, I was "Donaldopato" on some other forums for those curious.

[Ivor]

Thank you Seán, I see some familiar names and interesting topics. Yes, I was "Donaldopato" on some other forums for those curious.

Welcome Don

[Diapason]

Thank you, Don, and welcome indeed!

I'd be interested to know what you thought of the Godowsky etudes disc before finding out the truth. Was it convincing?

[DonKC]

It is said these are among the most difficult piano pieces around. Hamelin's and Hobson's playing was phenomenal for sure. I am not the biggest authority on Chopin's piano music and it would help to know them to appreciate what Godowsky did to the etudes. Hamelin does the whole 50-some, Hobson (who I used to sell LPs to when I worked at a record shop in Urbana, IL where he has taught for years) does a selection of 20 or so.

If Hatto's hubby had done just this disc in tribute to his wife, he might have gotten away with it. But a sick, dying pianist brilliantly recording 90% of the most difficult repertoire stretched it to the limit. Fascinating story

Hamelin on Hyperion is worth a listen for some amazing pianism. Hobson seems to be OOP.