Archivio Sergio Fiorentino - Recital Münster/Germany, Erbdrostenhof, 20 June 1994

1. BACH: French Suite No. 5 in G major, BWV 825
2. FRANCK: Prélude, Air et Final
3. SCHUBERT: Sonata No. 21 in B-flat major, D. 960
encores:
SCHUBERT: Impromptu in G-flat, op. 90/2
STRAUSS-Singer/Fiorentino: Rosenkavalier Waltzes
CHOPIN: Waltz in E-flat, op. 18

Sergio Fiorentino, piano (Erard piano from 1880)

This was the pianist's greates challenge concerning the piano which he had to play. He tried out the instrument six hours before the recital started. "it will be difficult", he said. The recital took place in a noble old big house in the city of Münster. The instrument, an Erard from 1880, was placed in the small hall for the purpose of concerts and being a "show piece of furniture" at the same time. It was in best shape possible, of course, and had belonged earlier to pianist Jörg Demus, who was a collector of historic pianos. On its metal frame it had been signed by Paderewski, most likely when the latter had played this instrument at a concert somewhere in France.
Everything went well, though it was the first time ever Fiorentino to play one of such "historic" instruments so dear to lovers of "authentic" sound.
The audio recording was released in 2000 on a private double-CD-R, and in 2012 again by the label Aldilà.
There was no better place for the video camera, alas. And who would not exspect that just on that occasion there would be a rather tall young man sitting right in front and thusly cover most of the pianist's figure. Well...