Liberace At The Piano/An Evening With Liberace

Performer: Liberace
Distributor: Gotham Distributing Corp.

Notes: 2 LPs on 1 CD: LIBERACE AT THE PIANO (1954)/AN EVENING WITH LIBERACE (1955). Originally released on Columbia. Recorded at the height of Liberace's popularity in the 1950s, these two albums, issued here on one CD, feature the renowned pianist at his melodramatic best. On these tracks, the lively performer (born Wladziu Valentino Liberace) takes on everything from classical pieces (a majestic rendition of a movement from Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata") to pop standards (a giddy version of Cole Porter's "Begin the Beguine") to, well, "Chopsticks," which Liberace makes his own with a dynamic and joyfully over-the-top arrangement. While these sessions stand out as some of his best studio recordings, those seeking the full Liberace experience, with playful banter and all, are advised to seek out his lavish HOLLYWOOD BOWL concerts.

Legendary pianist/showman Liberace was born Wladziu Liberace in Wisconsin in 1919. He was a child prodigy, winning a scholarship at age seven and making his solo concert debut four years later. When he returned from performing in an armed forces band during WWII, however, he decided to leave a promising classical career behind in pursuit of pop stardom. By the early 1950s, he was a successful recording artist. As Liberace began utilizing everything from cocktail jazz and Tin Pan Alley standards to rococo easy-listening versions of classical themes, his showmanship expanded, encompassing outrageous costumes and elaborate stage designs. Even after his records stopped selling, he remained a huge concert attraction for decades.

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