Toru Kawakami, Iku Miwa Brahms & Franck

Despite extraordinary international recognition Myra Hess never assumed the role of famed cosmopolitan soloist. Rather, she remained the archetypal English lady abroad. Even so she conquered America from the first, an appearance at New York in 1922 with a program that included Scarlatti and Bach, Franck and Schumann, Debussy and Chopin. Myra Hess was preparing for an extensive tour of America when war was declared in 1939. Refusing to leave the UK, she soon became involved in a cause which eventually made her name a legend, the war-time National Gallery concerts. Chamber music was, quite simply, a life-long love that inexorably grew to a passion and which perhaps, reached its climax with appearances at Casals' Prades Festival in 1951-1952."

by Bryan Crimp

From the notes: Despite extraordinary international recognition Myra Hess never assumed the role of famed cosmopolitan soloist. Rather, she remained the archetypal English lady abroad. Even so she conquered America from the first, an appearance at New York in 1922 with a program that included Scarlatti and Bach, Franck and Schumann, Debussy and Chopin.–- Her American visits soon became annual events which, in turn, assumed the nature of extensive tours. –– Myra Hess was preparing for an extensive tour of America when war was declared in 1939. Refusing to leave the UK, she soon became involved in a cause which eventually made her name a legend, the war-time National Gallery concerts. –- Chamber music was, quite simply, a life-long love that inexorably grew to a passion and which perhaps, reached its climax with appearances at Casals' Prades Festival in 1951-1952…." written by Bryan Crimp