A pupil of both Nicholas Rubinstein and Liszt, Sauer was one of the most elegant and stirring pianists to have been captured on disc. As a youth he appeared in public performing the concertos of Tchaikovsky while the composer lived briefly in Dresden. Sauer disclaimed being a Liszt pupil, but Friedheim's remembrance of how Sauer reacted wildly to Liszt's playing is far more telling. His suave, supple tone had a forceful narrative quality. Sauer's interpretations were clear and direct. Almost every recording of his is a major document of pianism and musicianship at its height. Even in a radio recital discovered by this writer (Vienna 1940) he is to be heard at his very best. Sauer's performances of Liszt include the Valse Oubliee, written around the time of his stay with the composer in Weimar. The fullness and beauty of his perfect poise in Chopin, especially in the Berceuse, will remain a model for all time. One hopes that all future performers and listeners will have access to all of his noble performances
More information on Sauer in the liner notes for his Arbiter release
© Allan Evans, 1996