Artwork has some waves in front and a tiny tear in the back.

“Horowitz in Moscow” is a filmed record of Vladimir Horowitz’s historic return recital at the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory on April 20, 1986, after more than six decades away from his homeland. It combines a full concert performance with documentary-style glimpses of his emotional homecoming and the audience’s reaction.

Basic overview

• The video captures Horowitz, then in his early eighties, playing a solo piano recital before a packed Moscow audience during the glasnost era.

• It was produced for television and home video and has since become one of the most celebrated concert films in classical music.

Musical program and style

• The recital features a mixed program of short works and showpieces by Scarlatti, Mozart, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin, Liszt, Chopin, Schumann, and Moszkowski, reflecting Horowitz’s Romantic-leaning repertoire.

• Commentators noted his remarkable clarity of articulation, wide dynamic range, and singing tone, with many considering this one of his finest late performances.

Visual and documentary elements

• The filming emphasizes intimate close-ups of Horowitz’s hands at the keyboard and his facial expressions, intercut with shots of visibly moved audience members.

• Depending on the edition, the video may include brief offstage footage and, in some original broadcasts, commentary by journalist Charles Kuralt providing context about his return to the Soviet Union.

Historical and emotional context

• The concert marked Horowitz’s first visit to the Soviet Union in 61 years, turning the event into both a musical and political symbol of renewed cultural contact during late Cold War reforms.

• Contemporary reports describe prolonged ovations, multiple encores, and many audience members in tears, especially during the Russian pieces and the tender Schumann encore “Träumerei.”

Legacy and availability

• The performance generated a companion audio album that became a best seller for about a year and won the Grammy Award for Best Classical Album in 1988.

• Today the video is available on DVD/Blu-ray and streaming from classical platforms, often cited as essential viewing for anyone interested in Horowitz or twentieth‑century piano playing.