Liberace - Cornish Rhapsody free for downloading

Back when a Baldwin piano sounded as close to a Steinway as you could get (Baldwin was all Liberace contracted to play on, they him free use of whatever concert grand he wanted, whenever he wanted it).. what a glorious sound!

From 1:11 to 1:35, Liberace plays an extract of Franz Liszt´s "Mazeppa".

I met Cornish Rhapsody in 1960, through the Reader's Digest LP collection, here called the Classical Music Festival (or so). I have each of these musical gems ringing in my head whenever I'm good with myself.

An excellent rendition of Cornish Rhapsody by Liberace. This selection is also the opening song of his movie, "Sincerely Yours", filmed in 1955, in which he had the starring role. For those who are not familiar with the movie, he plays a pianist who loses his hearing at the peak of his career. Filmed in color, it also co-stars Joanne Dru, Dorothy Malone & William Demarest.

I like how L gets some of Liszt's Mazeppa in there. I don't remember this from Sincerely Yours. Did he make another movie?.

Liberace does it again! Someone practiced his scales and arpeggios. So clean and precise. A unique style and touch. He may have spoken gently, but played furiously. So glad he is still loved and not forgotten.

Actually Joe, this melody, the Cornish Rhapsody is played during the opening credits of his movie, "Sincerely Yours". That was the only full-length movie he made with the starring role. He was a supporting actor in a movie called, "The Loved One", from the 1960s, playing the part of a casket salesman, of all things!

Bravo! I think Liberace was at his best in the 1950s when his skill as a pianist and talent as a showman were evenly balanced - and the Liszt extract near the beginning is really well executed. One can't imagine him playing like this in the later stages of his career (when his bejewelled pianos also seemed to sound more shallow and tinkly).

Yes, I recall the scene very well--hoards of Tony Warrin fans anxiously waiting in line in the pouring rain hoping against hope that there will be tickets available for Warrin's concert. Inside Tony is at the piano with an orchestra playing---wait-I'm reading my comment above. Did I actually write "I don't remember this from Sincerely Yours"????? I must have been half-asleep. I do remember it quite well--it was at the very beginning, Liberace playing it in his own inimitable arrangement.