Liszt: Works For Piano [Box set] [Import]

Editorial Reviews
Album Details
Throughout his Long and Distinguished Career Georges Cziffra Arguably Has Championed Franz Liszt More Than Any Other Pianist of the 20th Century. Like the Composer, Cziffra was a Virtuoso who Understood that the Score is Just a Point of Departure and that the Impact of the Performance Depends More So on the Depth of Interpreters Imagination and Skill. While Many have Performed These Seminal Works Over the Years Few Are as Dazzling, Insightful, and Simply Stylish as this Fiery Hungarian. Brace Yourself.

Tracks:

Liebestraum No.3
Prelude In G Minor
Fur Elise
Turkish March
Prelude In E-flat
Reverie
Prelude In C-sharp Minor
Prelude In G
Waltz In A-flat
Consolation No. 5
Moment Musical No. 3
Intermezzo In E-flat Minor
Kinderszenen opus 15 Tramrei
Barcarolle
Intemezzo In C-sharp Minor
Prelude In C-minor
Fantasie-mpromptu

Customer Reviews:

Music to my ears!.......2007-04-04

I bought this CD as a "treat" for my 16 year old son, who has just finished a homeschool music course for one of his electives. The last part of the course required listening to music from all the great composers, Baroque through contemporary periods, and identifying the more famous pieces by name and composer. He not only enjoyed the course, he now actually listens to this CD for his own enjoyment (when he's not playing 80's rock). What more could a mother ask for? (I'll tell you. I ask him to borrow it, it's lovely.)

Legend!.......2006-10-11

This is the greatest compilation of recordings ever made by the legendary pianist Van Cliburn. Although I am a cellist, I wear this cd out on a regular basis both at the office and home. I actually have an extra copy to play at the office. All of these recordings are superb in sound quality, performance and incredibly inspiring. The Schumann, Chopin, Rachmaninoff and Liszt pieces are stellar and my personal favorites. I only wish there were dvd's with Cliburn's performances for those of us too young to have seen him perform live. CD is a must-have for any classical music lover's collection.

Probably the Best Piano CD ever!.......2006-04-13

If you like Piano music, this is the CD for you. Van Cliburn is at home with great songs that anyone will recognize. It is a masterfully performed set of songs for anyone.

An exquisite recording...read on!...........2005-03-13

Contains a masterful rendition of Beethoven's "Fur Elise", which happens to be one of my favorite classical pieces -- I have a smooth-jazz-pop-dance version of this tune on my own album, "Classy Cool: Classical Favorites, Made Cool" (Google keyword "Motionizer" to find it)

BRILLIANT!.......2004-12-01

usually i don't listen to classical music that much.. i'm 14! but i really enjoy piano so when i saw this music i started to listen to it and i cant beleive how fantastic it is! It is a must have for piano lovers, because the mood of the music varies so much that there is something to suit every mood! My personal favourite is track 2 i can't stop listening to it! I really recommend this cd it is so good.

Gabriela Montero plays Chopin, Falla, Ginestera, etc. [Includes Bonus CD]

Average customer rating:

Gabriela Montero CDs
Non-professional Review
Absolutely Magnificent!
Improvisations Unbelievable!
A beautiful breath of fresh air!

Gabriela Montero plays Chopin, Falla, Ginestera, etc. [Includes Bonus CD]

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0009VK0LO
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

Moment Musical In E Mino Op. 12 No. 4
Prelude In G Op.32 No.5
Etude-Tableau In D Op.39 No.9
Prelude in D Flat Op.17 No.3
Prelude In E Flat Minor Op.16 No.4
Prelude In G Op.13 No.3
Etude in C Sharp Minor Op.42 No.5
La Vida Breve: First Spanish Dance - Manuel De Falla
Goyescas: Quejas O La Maya Y El Ruisenor
Danza Del Viejo Boyero
Danza De La Moza Donosa
Danza Del Gaucho Matrero
Nocturne In D Flat Op.27 No.2
Fantaisie-Impromptu In C Sharp Minor Op.66
Mephisto Waltz No.1

Tracks:

On Rachmaniov: Vocalise
On The Theme From Bach 'Goldberg Variations'
On Chopin: Nocturne In D Flat
On Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No.2
Inspired By Scriabin
On Duermete Mi Nino
In The Style Of Tango
On Granados: 'Quejas O La Maya El Ruisenor'
In The Style Of Bach
On Chopin: Prelude In A
'Improvisation in Blue (Gabriela Montero)'
'Song for Natalia and Isabella (Gabriela Montero)'

Customer Reviews:

Gabriela Montero CDs.......2007-06-12

Excellent service -- speedy, just as described, well-packaged. I'd definitely buy from this seller again.

Non-professional Review.......2007-03-27

Okay, I listen almost exclusively to classical music, but I do so simply for the pleasure and nothing more. I cannot tell you about Gabriela Montero's technique, and, when she improvises, I have no ability to judge the music's intrinsic value, authenticity, or whatever. I can only tell you this: while I own many dozens of albums, running the full spectrum of the classical genre, I value none of them above Montero's Bach and Beyond and her Piano Recital. Pure listening joy!

Absolutely Magnificent!.......2007-03-09

I first saw Gabriela Montero on 60 Minutes a few months ago and was taken by her playing ability as well as her ability to improvise on the classics. Ms. Montero's fingers fly over the keyboard, playing Rachmaninoff more dramatically and key-perfect than I've heard in a long time. I decided to purchase this CD and have not been disappointed.

Improvisations Unbelievable!.......2007-01-26

Gabriela Montero is a tremendous talent, both in standard classical repertoire, and improvisation. I have know her since she was a young girl, and she was by far the best pianist around, even then. She is an undersung pianist of our age, and should rise to the top very soon!

A beautiful breath of fresh air!.......2007-01-20

What a sheer delight hearing her play. I've never heard anyone quite like her. A phenomenally gifted player, and it's a rare treat to hear someone who defies pigeonholing. I had heard her on the radio, and knew I was onto something when her improvisation on a very simple theme gave me the chills. I love both CD's in this collection.

It's interesting hearing the negative response coming from some classical musicians and fans. At times it can seem to roughly follow the stages of grief as proposed by Kubler-Ross. I'm a professional guitarist, and it's funny because it's almost identical to how guitarists react to hearing another guitarist, but with an big class-conscious overlay (all very civilized, of course). Think of the "guitarist screwing in a lightbulb" joke. To paraphrase and extrapolate on what someone might say upon hearing her improvisation:

1. Shock: Wow, he's good. Oh, and it's a woman!? And you say it's improvisation??

2. Denial: That can't possibly be improvisation. Classical musicians don't engage in that untidy process. What she's playing must be written out, and I can tell! Don't ask, I just know it.

3. Anger: This stuff is no good. Only permanent music is of value through the ages, and that's why classical music (and only the European kind) is better than any other music. Besides, I can't improvise, so I reject it - and only THOSE people engage in improvisation.

4. Depression: She can play all the classical music, and seemingly can improvise, or at least pass her stuff off as such. Not only that, she's getting attention and money, and we're not. Why is the world unfair?

5. Acceptance: (sort of) Well, I guess she's selling CD's, and is becoming successful. She is, I hate to admit it, a great player. Even if she is a faker. Of course, they're begging my Muffy to become artist-in-residence in Spoleto....

The other reviewer has a point when he says that she may be viewed as a curiosity. Because she's crossing genres, people may not know what to make of it, and this often causes reflexive hostility. As an improvisor, I would agree that it's hard to say that something is 100% improvised - players tend to have pet phrases and favorite general ideas they return to. But to me, Gabriela's playing is at the highest level of skill, beauty, and feeling, whether improvising or playing written pieces.

Average customer rating:

Don't downrate a CD because of a missing piece - please!
Bolet is outstanding
Great selections; technically great but dull performance
Great Liszt compilation
Missing The Famous Hungarian Rhapsody #2

Liszt: Favourite Piano Works

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000427O
Release Date: 1995-11-14

Tracks:

Liebestraum No. 3 In A Flat Major
Mephisto Waltz No. 1
Funilles
Rniscences de Don Juan
La campanella
Die Forelle
Erlkonig
Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12 In C Sharp Minor

Tracks:

Consolation No. 3
Sonetto 104 del Pentrarca
Les Jeux d'eau a Villa d' Este
Au bord d' une source
Gnomenreigen
Un sospiro
Rigoletto
Sonata In B Minor - Lento assai
Andante sostenuto
Fugato

Customer Reviews:

Don't downrate a CD because of a missing piece - please!.......2005-07-15

This is an excellent representative 2-CD bargin set of Liszt's piano works played by a recognized expert pianist in this repertoire. The other reviewers (i.e. those w/ 5* ratings) have made their points well. What continues to bother me in many of these classical CD reviews is 'downgrading' a CD by several stars, if not more in some cases, because the listener is irked at the lack of a feature that has nothing to do w/ the performance on the recording. Such is the case here - a 3* rating because one piece was mislabelled is ridiculous - rate the music & performance first, please. If there is a problem unrelated to the performance (sound quality, liner notes, etc.), then simply state that in your review. I often look at the overall rating to determine if I even want to consider a classical CD & read the reviews - knocking off a star or two because of petty complaints is not justified.

Bolet is outstanding.......2005-01-23

There are many Liszt performers, and while Bolet was known to never substitute technical perfection for feeling, there is a great balance to his playing. 'Un Sospiro' is played on the slow side, every melody note can be heard perfectly, while his interpretation and rubato are heart stopping. While I don't agree with his Liebstraum (the honor of greatest playing is held for Cliburn on this piece, if you haven't heard him play it, go buy the CD, now), the lesser played works such as the Elf King transcription more than makes up for it. If you want a technically perfect, clear, sometimes very moving performance of Liszt, Bolet is for you (I prefer him infinitely over Cziffra, although I may be alone on that one). Postscript: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12 is NOT No. 2, this is an error on Amazon's part, and also on the other Bolet albums, it is indeed no. 12 and not 2.

Great selections; technically great but dull performance.......2004-04-09

I know this pianist Jorge Bolet is supposed to be one of the world's greatest. But I bought this as a replacement set when I temporarily lost my Phillips "Best Of Liszt" set and couldn't live without Liszt. I was sadly disappointed on the selections that overlap. While some of my favorite selections (Liebestraum, Mephisto Waltz) are actually longer here, they simply do not stir my soul as much. The pressure of the notes, the timing, something indefinable just isn't the same in this recording as in the Phillips one. The quality of sound reproduction is fine, the piano-playing is certainly correct and crisp (maybe TOO crisp?), and again, the variety of the pieces chosen is commendable, but I recommend the Phillips 2-disc set over this one. There ARE some very interesting selections of not just Liszt's original works but also some of his arrangements or adaptations of other's works, i.e., the Shubert pieces and La campanella (from Paganini).

Great Liszt compilation.......2003-12-23

Bolet's finest moments on this two-fer are the Schubert-Liszt transcriptions - you'd almost think 'Who needs a voice?' But he's equally good in the aforementioned Mephisto Waltz, and the operatic journey through Mozart's Don Giovanni.

The cons are here too: Bolet's RCA Liszt recital has better, less cautious versions of Liebestraum, Un sospiro and Funerailles. The Sonata is tremendous overall but in the end I'd rank it just a little below the best - particularly Brendel, Richter and Arrau. Yet all these renditions have great merits - even the ones Bolet surpassed himself. This Liszt compilation is overall very good.

Missing The Famous Hungarian Rhapsody #2.......2003-05-27

Although the listing at Amazon.com says this CD contains Hungarian Rhapsody #12, A.K.A #2, it does NOT have the famous #2 in C Sharp Minor. It is indeed #12. Since I bought this CD specifically for Hungarian Rhapsody #2 in C Sharp Minor, I was disspointed that it was not included. It is Liszt's most famous song, at least in my opinion. If you are looking for this song, I would suggest Hungarian Rhapsodies Vol. 1, by Jeno Jando.

Average customer rating:

Ethereal LIszt in Superb Sound
A great collection of Liszt treasures
An excellent collection of Liszt interpretations.
Liszt for the ages.

Liszt: Piano Works

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005ND3L
Release Date: 2001-10-09

Tracks:

Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12 In C-Sharp Minor
Liebestraum No.3
Mephisto Waltz No.1
Funerailles (No.7 Of Harmonies Poetiques Et Religieuses)
Rigoletto: Conc Paraphrase
La Campanella

Tracks:

Die Forelle
Der Muller Und Der Bach
Wohin?
Lebe Wohl!
Das Wandern
Der Lindenbaum
Horch, Horch, Die Lerch
Auf Dem Wasser Zu Singen
Die Post
Aufenthalt
Lob Der Tranen
Erlkonig
I. Allegro Con Fuoco
II. Adagio
III. Presto
IV. Allegro

Tracks:

Lento Assai - Allegro Energico -
Andante Sostenuto
Allegro Energico - Andante Sostenuto - Lento Assai
Valse Impromptu
I. 'Hohe Liebe' In A flat
II. 'Selinger Tod' In E Flat
III. 'O Lieb' In A Flat
Grand Galop Chromatique

Tracks:

I. Sposalizio
II Penseroso
III. Canzonetta Del Salvator Rosa
IV. Sonetto 47 Del Petrarca
V. Sonetto 104 Del Patrarca
VI. Sonetto 123: Del Petrarca
VII. Apres Une Lecture De Dance (Fant Quasi Son)

Tracks:

I. La Chapelle De Guillaume Tell
II. Au Lac De Wallenstadt
III. Pastorale
IV. Au Bord D'une Source
V. Orage
VI. Vallee D'Obermann
VII. Eglogue (Hirtengesang)
VIII. Le Mal Du Pays
IX. Les Cloches De Geneve

Tracks:

I Gondoliera
II. Canzone
III. Tarantella
Les Jeux D'eau A La Villa D'Este (No.4 Of Annees De Pelerinage, Troisieme Annee)
Benediction De Dieu Dans La Solitude: (No.3 Of Harmonies Poetiques Et Religieuses)
Ballade No.2 In B

Tracks:

I. Preludio: Presto
II. Molto Vivace
III. Paysage: Poco Adagio
IV. Mazeppa: Allegro
V. Feux Follets: Allegretto
VI. Vision: Lento
VII. Eroica: Allegro
VIII. Wilde Jagd: Presto Furioso
IX. Ricordanza: Andantino
X. Allegro Agitato Molto
XI. Harmonies Du Soir: Andantino
XII. Chasse-Neige: Andante Con Moto

Tracks:

Zwei Konzertetuden: I. Waldesrauschen
Zwei Konzertetuden: II. Gnomenreigen
I. Il Lamento
II. La Leggierezza
III. Un Sospiro
I. Andante Con Moto
II. Un Poco Piu Mosso
III. Lento Placido
IV. Quasi Adagio
V. Andantino
VI. Allegretto Sempre Cantabile
Reminiscences De Don Juan

Tracks:

Reminiscences De Norma
Totentanz (Danse Macabre)
Malediction
Fant On Hungarian Folk Themes

Customer Reviews:

Ethereal LIszt in Superb Sound.......2006-09-29

Piano playing of extraordinary romantic depth and breadth. Bolet is inside Liszt's mind, as Liszt's romantic self unfolds on the keyboard. It is as if Bolet is the master himself. Superlative recordings to boot!

A great collection of Liszt treasures.......2004-01-12

The booklet of this set has an interesting explanation of why Jorge Bolet stayed out of the spotlights for so long before taking up his -glorious- career. It was his devotion to Liszt. By then, in the 1950s, Liszt was still regarded as a B-composer (There are still people who tend to think so: I read someone who called Liszt `the father of all bar pianists'. Now, if you know a worse offence...). Only after Liszt's reputation had increased, Bolet could enter his `Indian summer', which lasted from about 1975 until his passing away in 1990. During this period, he was finally able to perform his favourite music as much as possible. This fine 9-disc set may indeed be Bolet's most important testament. Additionally, it's one of the most important Liszt collections on the market. But beware: there's much more than just Bolet, considering Liszt's piano works. I can't say this is the perfect set or near it. Still five stars, for some astonishing piano playing that we don't come across very often nowadays.

Bolet won a Gramophone Award for his 1st book of Années de Pelerinage, which is not strange when listening to the recordings. This is a portrait of a man who's entirely on his own, looking for his soul while wandering trough the beautiful Switzerland - I can't say it better than B. Johnson already did. It's Romantic nonsense, of course, but in Liszt's days it was a common idea, and it can still sweep me away. Bolet's superior tonal colouring - beautiful, but not too far-driven, for the risk it would almost be too intimidating - and his peaceful nature lift this music to the greatest heights. My only complaint would be the `Orage' piece: Bolet's technique can't quite handle it, and its aggressive nature is much less overwhelming as a result. Nevertheless, the rest of the pieces show him at his very best. So does the second year of the Années (that is oddly placed in the set before the first year by Decca). The Dante Sonata, one of Liszt's greatest pieces, fares very well under Bolet's hands.

Equally excellent were the Schubert Song Transcriptions. The transcriptions aren't very different from the original songs, but they are definitely interesting. Especially when someone like Bolet takes them under his hands! All songs are terrifically played, with real standouts like `Auf dem Wasser zu singen', `Der Mueller und der Bach' and `Erlkoenig'. Bolet's romantic touch (he may have been the last of his kind) lets the music unendingly flow. Brilliant!

These comments also apply to Liszt's Consolations, which are placed on another disc. Liszt shows here how much he's in debt to Schubert, and wrote music of a disarmingly lyrical nature. Bolet gives almost naively innocent readings of these pieces. Talking about singing music, why not include the Liebesträume, `Venezia e Napoli' and many, many other pieces as well. Although some people still regard Liszt as a bombastic composer, he was in fact much more active on the spiritual and lyrical area. It is largely this nature of Liszt that is put into the spotlights by Bolet. He is really terrific whenever music ought to sound peaceful and meditative.

But Liszt was also a stunning virtuoso. People may eschew him for that, but that's often without any good ground. The B minor Sonata and the Transcendental Etudes, to give some names, are not only pianistically but also musically amazing works. It takes to be both a good technician and a musician to play them well, and this is where Bolet occasionally fails. He was over 65 when he made these recordings, and I can't help but say that his technique was not anymore what it used to be. In many pieces you can hear him struggle.

In what may be the most difficult music Liszt wrote, the Transcendental Etudes, Bolet takes tempi that are almost too easy (e.g. no.10 should be `Allegro molto agitato' but Bolet plays it very moderately), perhaps because his technique was by then too limited to give the pieces a really impressive treatment. Even then, I do feel a ertain nobility in Bolet's slow approach that gives every study a dignified stature (and that's something you won't find with Kissin or Cziffra!). The sonata is similarly noble and yet tremendously powerful in its scope, even though Bolet may lack some technial control at isolated spots.

Anoter treacherous piece is the `Reminiscences de Don Juan', which is a transcription of no less an opera than -of course- Don Giovanni! Bolet plays this 20-minute piece with a lot of humour and swing: it's a great way to clean up your mind! Also recommendable are the Etudes de Concert (e.g. Waldesrauschen), whose light spirit is very well captured.

A treasure trove set overall, I can recommend it without any limitations. There's no other composer that suited Bolet as well as Liszt, and the vice versa may be true as well. But the pianist also has his weaker points, particularly regarding his technique, that wasn't what it used to be. Oh, and the piano sound is not always equally convincing: the instrument sounds a little shrill at times. But there's an amazing amount of colour in the instrument, and it allows Bolet to reachfor the deepest, darkest sonorities you've heard. This collection is therefore not just THE best Liszt: there are many more pianists who made supreme recordings of him (e.g. Arrau, Brendel, Richter) and I definitely recommend searching them out as well. After you've heard this!

An excellent collection of Liszt interpretations........2003-12-03

I was very impressed with Bolet's playing. His rendition of La Campanella is the best I've ever heard.

Liszt for the ages........2001-12-05

Both for those that would like to find out for the first time what Liszt is all about, and for those few that are very familiar with the Paganini of the 88: LOOK NO FURTHER!

It doesn't get any better than this.

After I heard throughout the seventies about this "unknown" great of the romantic repertoire, I was fortunate enough to see him for the first time about a month after he recorded the first issue of this now legendary Liszt series. While his technique may not have exactly been what it used to be before (e.g. Orage in Suisse of Les Annees), all the performances benefit from the wisdom of many, many years. While all the performances are of a uniform Olympic level, two issue stand out in my mind.

First, there is the cd of Schubert Liszt transcriptions. Bolet really sets the standards for "singing" on the piano. His version of "Der Muller und der Bach" has to be believed to be heard.

Most importantly though, there is "Suisse" the first year of Liszt's years of pilgrimage. I own this disc from the day it appeared on the shelves and still listen to it every month. Surely, there are more technically brilliant versions. For the true "Liszt Nuts", I would certainly advise Leslie Howard's version of "L'Album d'un voyageur", that contains the first version of many of the "Suisse" pieces, and some additional pieces that Frenz (for reasons that escape me completely) excluded from the later Suisse. Yet, nobody, not even Brendel or Berman, have come close to Bolet on delivering on the central theme of Suisse, man finding himself back in an exploration of nature.

While they stem from the earlier days of digital recording the recordings are still more than respectable and benefit greatly from Bolet's attention for color, aided by his favorite Bechstein.

Tracks:

Impromptu in A Flat Major, Op.142 (D.935),No.2
Etude in E major, Op.10, No.3
Bagatelle in A minor, WoO 59 'Fur Elise': Bagatelle in A minor, WoO 59
Waltz in A flat major,Op. 39, No.15
June: Bacarolle from the Seasons,Op.37b
pring Song in A major,Op.62,No.6 From Songs Without Words: Spring Song in A major,Op.62,No.6 From Songs Without Words
Clair de lune from Suite bergamasque
Troiseme Gymnompedie
Andante in F major, WoO 57 'Adante favori': Andante in F major, WoO 57
Nocturne in E flat major, Op.9,No.2
Liebestraum No 3 in AFlat Major, Op.62 (S.541) No.3
Impromptu in G flat major,Op. 90(D.899), No.3
Romance in F Minor,Op.5
Alla turca from Piano Sonata No.11 in Major, K.331
Trerei from Kinderszenen,Op.15
Prelude no 15 in D Flat Major, Op.28 'Raindrop': Prelude no 15 in D Flat Major, Op.28
Tango in D major
Prelude in C sharp minor, Op.3 No.2

Customer Reviews:

The best.......2007-04-10

The CD I bought is great. The music is great. I love Fur Elise music.

Pure Piano.......2007-01-11

This is one of the clearest and most enjoyable CDs I have purchased. The music is pure and all piano, no frills. I feel like I can play, which of course I can not. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys excellent piano.

Not quite for that candle-light dinner .... .......2006-03-02

Perhaps its best to first clarify the context of this CD's title, "Romantic Piano Music." The word "Romantic" here is not about sensuous mood music to share with your significant other. Rather, it refers to the musical era labeled "Romanticism" which started around Beethoven and ended around 1900 with the development of the "modern era." It is odd that Mozart is featured here as he clearly belongs to the preceeding "classical" era (but the piece here is one of his best). So, this CD features solo piano music of that era which has musical characteristics like expressive lyricism ... passionate, personal and poetic emotional displays ... more experimenting with tonal color and harmony ... and frequent shifts of key, tempo and dynamic range (very soft to very loud). So, with especially with this last characteristic in mind, don't expect "Romantic music for a candle light dinner" here as several of the pieces go from quiet, introspective melodies to fast-paced runs or loud, dissonant chords (just hear the first bar of the last track). But, such is "romantic expression" in music. If you are just looking for some nice solo-piano dinner music, try John Field's serene Nocturnes or Chopin's uplifting Waltzes or the quiet compliation disc, "Chopin for Relaxation."

But, if your interest is to explore the great composers and piano literature of the Romantic era, this is a fine CD to do that for many reasons. One reason is the variety of styles and nationalities featured here. One other characteristic of the music of this period was the expression of pride in one's country (Nationalism movement). Nearly all of the composers whose works are featured on this disc were major influences in music history and showed varying degress of Nationism: Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms and Liszt from Germany ... Chopin from Poland ... Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov from Russian ... Debussy and Satie from France ... and Albeniz from Spain. With such an international line-up of famous composers, you will find a wide range of musical styles, flavors and expressions to discover and enjoy. Most of the selections here are among the more famous piano pieces, so it is a good place to start. And supported by capable artists, good sound quality and some decent liner notes giving the history of the music, this CD provides a compelling journey into the piano music of the mid-late 19th century ... but maybe not ideal for that romantic interlude you might have had in mind.

PS: The title song of this CD, "Fur (for) Elise," is one of Beethoven's most recognizable and simple tunes, often heard in those miniature music boxes or even cell-phone ring tones.

Classic.......2004-04-08

This is classic. I like this music, because this is piano music.
And I love piano music, because I like to play piano. Don't buy it, if you like pop music, not classic ! Buy it, if you like classic. Trust me.

Great compilation.......2002-12-09

Although you may never have heard of any of these pianists, they're all very good and solid performers. It does in no way sound like a budget disc. The programmed pieces work really well together, especially with such a (shatteringly played) finale: Rachmaninov's "Bells of Moscow" Prelude!

Average customer rating:

Technically Excellent, but Uninspiring
Hurford plays organ "pops" pieces
Exellent organ playing!
GREAT FOR NEW CONVERTS TO ORGAN MUSIC!
Excellent

Organ Spectacular

Manufacturer: London
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Bach: Great Organ Works
An Organ Blaster Sampler
Organ of the Mormon Tabernacle
Michael Murray At The Cathedral Of St. John The Divine: Works By Franck, Widor, Dupré, Bach and Others
Ceremonial Music for Trumpet & Symphonic Organ

ASIN: B0000041YP
Release Date: 1991-10-11

Customer Reviews:

Technically Excellent, but Uninspiring.......2006-08-22

Hurford is clearly a very capable technical organist. His nimble feet and fingers do an excellent job with fast passages. Musically, however, most of the pieces felt uninspired and I was a bit disappointed.

Hurford plays organ "pops" pieces.......2006-06-02

On this particular album, organist peter hurford shows off what the organ can do with a pair of nimble hands (and feet). The recording herein contains all of the more familiar "pops" pieces(i.e., you would expect to hear one of these pieces played on nearly every organ recital), and also a rarity or two. The reason I initially purchased this recording was because of the complete Suite Gothique (the only recording available?). Besides the famous toccata, this suite contains some wonderful momemts, such as the sirene priere to the jolly yet sometimes macabre-sounding minuet gothique. The Widor Allegro from Symphonie VI is OK (I still recommend David M. Patrick's album over all others) and the mendelssohn is a nice finishing touch (use this to show off your stereo!) All in all, another well done recording by the scholarly virtuoso Hurford, pleasingly light yet sonically thrilling.

Exellent organ playing!.......2001-11-21

"Organ Spectacular" is truly spectacular. Peter Hurford has combined the finest organ pieces along with absolutely superb playing. All of the pieces are as if the composer himself is playing them. This recording is very rewarding and worth every penny.

GREAT FOR NEW CONVERTS TO ORGAN MUSIC!.......2001-01-14

This CD got me started as an organ lover years ago. Something for everyone here, this recording covers the biggest hits of the organ rather well. Frank's Chorale No. 3 will impress you with the sheer range and power of the organ, and is very moving. And be sure to listen to the Wedding March as it was meant to be played and heard! A great compilation. Enjoy!

Excellent.......1999-01-20

Hurford delivers an exciting compilation of these high-powered organ favorites. For people who love the organ for its ability to rattle the fillings in your teeth, this album is a must! If you are looking for soft, mellow, soothing music, well...you're going to have your fillings rattled. His rendition of Widor's allegro from the sixth symphony is the best piece on the album, but I found the tocotta from the fifth to be rather bland. The Boellmann suite gothique (why I bought the album) is also great. Overall, money well spent

Average customer rating:

Roses and Solitude

Manufacturer: Channel Productions
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Polonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

Piano Reflections

ASIN: B000006LWN
Release Date: 1996-09-17

Tracks:

Massenet
Liszt
M.T. Von Paradis/Kessler
Maxwell Davies
Rachmaninoff
J.S. Bach
Liszt
Chopin
Scriabin
Hummel
Rimsky-Korsakoff
Tingley
Scriabin
Debussy
Dvor
Valenti

Average customer rating:

Cziffra Dazzles
Bravura-with a touch of Barnum & Bailey
PLAIN MAN'S SUPERSTAR
Bow down to king Georges!!
LEGENDARY LISZT by CZIFFRA

Liszt: Works For Piano
Georges Cziffra
Manufacturer: Angel
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Les introuvables de Cziffra
Liszt: Piano Concertos; Totentanz; Hungarian Fantasy
Chopin: uvres pour piano
Rendez-vous de Senlis
Georges Cziffra Plays Chopin, Liszt & Franck (EMI Classic Archive)

ASIN: B00005IA06
Release Date: 2002-07-29

Tracks:

Rhaps Hongroises: No.1 in E
Rhaps Hongroises: No.2 in c#
Rhaps Hongroises: No.3 in B flat
Rhaps Hongroises: No.4 in E flat
Rhaps Hongroises: No.5 in e
Rhaps Hongroises: No.6 in D flat
Rhaps Hongroises: No.7 in d
Rhaps Hongroises: No.8 in f# 'Capriccio'
Rhaps Hongroises: No.9 in E flat 'Carnaval De Pesth'

Tracks:

Rhaps Hongroises: No.10 in E 'Prld'
Rhaps Hongroises: No.11 in a
Rhaps Hongroises: No.12 in c#
Rhaps Hongroises: No.13 in a
Rhaps Hongroises: No.14 in f
Rhaps Hongroises: No.15 in a 'Marche De Rakoczy'
Rhap Espagnole

Tracks:

Douze Etudes D'execution Transcendant: No.1 in C 'Prld'
Douze Etudes D'execution Transcendant: No.2 in a 'Fusees'
Douze Etudes D'execution Transcendant: No.3 in F 'Paysage'
Douze Etudes D'execution Transcendant: No.4 in d 'Mazeppa'
Douze Etudes D'execution Transcendant: No.5 in B flat 'Feux Follets'
Douze Etudes D'execution Transcendant: No.6 in g 'Vision'
Douze Etudes D'execution Transcendant: No.7 in E flat 'Eroica'
Douze Etudes D'execution Transcendant: No.8 in c 'Wilde Jagd'
Douze Etudes D'execution Transcendant: No.9 in A flat 'Ricordanza'
Douze Etudes D'execution Transcendant: No.10 in f 'Appassionata'
Douze Etudes D'execution Transcendant: No.11 in D flat 'Harmonies Du Soir'
Douze Etudes D'execution Transcendant: No.12 in b flat 'Chasse Neige'

Tracks:

Mephisto-Valse, D'apres Le Faust De Lenau, 'Der Tanz in Der Dorfschenke'
Annees De Pelerinage, III: L'Italie: Les Jeux D'eau A La villa D'Este
Valse Oubliee No.1 in F#
Valse-Impromptu in A flat
Reve D'amour, Nocturne No.3 in A flat
Grand Galop Chromatique
Grande Etude De Paganini No.3: La Campanella, in E
Grande Etude De Paganini No.5: La Chasse, in E
Etude De Concert No.1: La Ronde Des Lutins
Etude De Concert No.2: Dans Les Bois
Harmonies Poetiques Et Religieuses, No.7: Funerailles

Tracks:

Ballade No.2 in b
Polonaise No.1 in c
Saint Francois D'Assise: La Predication Aux Oiseaux, Legende No.1
Saint Francois De Paule Marchant Sur Les Flots, Legende No.2
Son in b

Album Details

Throughout his Long and Distinguished Career Georges Cziffra Arguably Has Championed Franz Liszt More Than Any Other Pianist of the 20th Century. Like the Composer, Cziffra was a Virtuoso who Understood that the Score is Just a Point of Departure and that the Impact of the Performance Depends More So on the Depth of Interpreters Imagination and Skill. While Many have Performed These Seminal Works Over the Years Few Are as Dazzling, Insightful, and Simply Stylish as this Fiery Hungarian. Brace Yourself.

Customer Reviews:

Cziffra Dazzles.......2005-07-21

This set is of mostly mono recordings from the 1950s which present Cziffra at his best. Included are the Hungarian Rhapsodies which in this first of his two complete sets is preferable to the later version by many people. The playing is spectacular even if it mostly is in mono. (The B Minor sonata is in stereo).

Cziffra has a way of making music so it seems like you've never heard the piece before. He has that magic elixir of charisma, sense of timing and excitement that made him the stellar artist he was.

The sound, even though mono, is excellent and the mastering as well. I've found, personally, by simulating stereo on my Creative Soundblaster Audigy card and 5.1 creative inspire speaker system, it sounds almost like a new recording.

Don't miss this set. Besides being a comprehensive review of Cziffra's Liszt repetoire it is also a bargain.

Bravura-with a touch of Barnum & Bailey.......2005-02-02

Cziffra does indeed exhibit a great deal of bravura and talent, yet mainly for the Hungarian Rhapsodies, which don't suffer as much from the Barnum & Bailey type performances. To clarify that, many circus performers have exceptional talent, yet lack the kind of talent to perform things on that higher, and even divine, plain. With that said- David, the reviewer here from England, has made gross errors regarding Listz's music, since many performers, such as Cziffra, do not capture Liszt's true emotional, and deeply sincere essence in his more profound works...such as the Ballade or B minor Sonata, since these pieces require more than shear bravura. This is one good reason why Liszt was so maligned, because too many performers ripped through these pieces like a show piece at a circus rather than a deep and penetrating piece of art, which they most certainly are! Even Cziffra's Transcendental Etudes are afflicted by too much heavy-handed fireworks rather than infusing them with the heartfelt passion some of them have. Anyone who knows Liszt knows full well that his musical output covered a broad spectrum from dazzling showpieces to sublime masterpieces...so in the final analysis Cziffra is a great performer of the former, but lacks severely in the latter. Yet these discs do showcase a star talent that was in his element with "some" of Liszt's works, yet don't fault the composer for a single performer's limitations.

PLAIN MAN'S SUPERSTAR.......2004-07-21

Tamas Vasary tells us how he once overheard what he thought must be a four-handed ensemble, only to find that it was Cziffra on his own. That's the kind of virtuoso Cziffra is. The obvious comparison he invites is with Horowitz, but there is a completely different 'feel' to Cziffra's playing. It does not have the french-polished smoothness that I associate with Michelangeli or Gould or (on the right day) Richter, but Horowitz was not like that either. There is less tension in Cziffra's playing, and a great deal less self-consciousness. Very often indeed I get the feeling that Cziffra does not even know how good he is, something you could never say about Horowitz. In particular he has an endearing way of finishing some mind-numbing exhibition of bravura with a matter-of-fact 'that's that'. The technical quality of his playing, any of it that I know, is invariable. What does vary quite a lot is the sense of motivation in it, and I'm happy to report that on these 5 discs the index of gusto and swagger is very high. In the Hungarian rhapsodies particularly (there are 15 here numbered sequentially 1-15 although I have heard alarming rumours there may be more of them) I get a sense of the fairground entertainer, whereas with Horowitz the impression is always of the concert platform.

The music in this set is the work of a player I like inordinately and a composer I don't like very much. Nowhere at all in Liszt do I sense the divine afflatus that blew so strongly down on half-a-dozen of his contemporaries. He seems to me to try, through aspiration and perspiration and in an ersatz and manufactured way, to emulate what was given to his friends from on high as inspiration. He has a fondness for giving his works titles, sometimes commonplace and boring (paysage, ricordanza, reve d'amour), sometimes high-romantic guff (valse oubliee), sometimes plain presumptuous (eroica, appassionata). The focus throughout the set is on virtuosity, and that is what persuaded me on an impulse to acquire it. As far as virtuosity is concerned, I find myself wondering whether there is some theoretical ceiling on it. These days a very large number of players possess a technique that less than 50 years ago was possessed only by a few. Both Horowitz and Michelangeli complained that it was hard to tell them apart, and I have to confess to an uneasy feeling along the same lines. It's a bit like running a mile or a marathon - will it someday be done at the speed of light, or have we reached the outer limit already? My Liszt collection is mainly from Cziffra himself, with not altogether negligible contributions from Richter, Michelangeli and Ogdon, and my main interest in the music is the opportunity it offers to these great players. I need hardly say that they do not neglect the poetic and inward sides to the composer. In particular Cziffra makes more of that in the sonata than Horowitz does, but I'm pretty sure that's why I continue to prefer Horowitz in this piece. Whether there are performers now with us or yet unborn who can surpass these in Liszt I suspect I shall simply never know, but something makes me doubt it, and if I go to some final reckoning ignorant of the Liszt-playing of Pierre-Yves Chanterelle, Berengaria Eversleigh or Long Sing Tung my conscience will be clear to that extent at least. This is a marvellous set from my beloved Cziffra, a Liszt specialist although not so entirely by his own choosing, and I am not going to tire of it in a hurry.

The liner note is in French, but if you have no French you are not missing much, believe me. Even with no French you can easily count the number of dropped names, which is largely what it is about. The recorded quality is perfectly good without being to the highest modern standard, and the set is an outstanding bargain.

Bow down to king Georges!!.......2004-04-08

This is one of those discs that falls into the "must-buy" category for all piano afficionados. It stands as a great testament to a pianist who absolutely deserves to be mentioned in the same breath (and then some!) as Horowitz, Michelangeli and Richter.
In terms of virtuosity the playing is spell-binding throughout(as you would expect from Cziffra), but it is never overblown, with poetic phrasing and romanitc expression always to the fore. If you only listen to one piece in the whole set (and I guarantee that will not be the case!), let it be the B minor sonata- an awesomely powerful, heart-on-the-sleeve rendition of arguably the greatest solo piece in the piano literature.

LEGENDARY LISZT by CZIFFRA.......2003-05-11

When Georges Cziffra escaped to Vienna during the Hungarian uprising of 1956, his debut recital at the Brahmsaal caused such a sensation that news of the event reached The New Yorker. At his Paris debut the following month Cziffra received ovations never witnessed within living memory while his London debut at the Royal Festival Hall in 1957 caused a furore. Cziffra played Liszt's first concerto and Hungarian Fantasy followed by 10 encores that brought the house down and had critics searching for their most colourful superlatives. When I heard Cziffra play these works with the Halle Orchestra under George Weldon in February 1959 the Manchester audience were spellbound and demanded encore after dazzling encore.
On these EMI reissues of Cziffra's Liszt playing from 1956 to 1986 we can hear the reason for such adulation. Cziffra's recordings of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsodies from his heyday in the late 1950s are stunning. But they are much more than that. We can take for granted the scintillating virtuosity, bravado and gypsy swagger of the second Rhapsody; No.8 'Capriccio', No.9 'Carnaval de Pesth', and No.15 'Marche de Rakoczy'; but Cziffra also captures the yearning sadness and passion of the grief laden climax of No.5 (a funeral march) while bringing delicate nuancies, light and shade to Liszt's lyrical pages. In the Transcendental Studies too, his playing of No.2 in A minor, 'Mazeppa', 'Wilde Jagd', and 'Feux follets', are electrifying, yet Cziffra brings a simple beauty to 'Paysage'; grandeaur to 'Vision'; soaring lyricism to the 'Appasionata' study and in 'Ricordanza', arpeggios and cadenzas that shimmer like star dust. Discs four and five include Cziffra's legendary early recordings of the Mephisto Waltz, trailing demonic whisps of sulphur, La Campanella, Gnomenreigen, and Liszt's favourite show stopping encore, the Grand Galop Chromatique. Rarities form the 1970s/80s include the Polonaise No.1, Ballade No.2; a powerful depiction of surging seas in 'St.Francis Walking on the Waters' and finally a masterly performance of the B minor Sonata (1968) in which Cziffra combines authentic Lisztian bravura and wistful lyricism with the final pages visionary qualities.
Liner notes are in French but no matter - 5 discs of superb Liszt playing for the price of one full price disc is a bargain not to be missed. Snap it up while you can!

Average customer rating:

Excellent performance, selections not what I hoped for
Gorgeous collection of piano solos

Water Music Of The Impressionists
Claude Debussy , Charles Tomlinson Griffes , Franz Liszt , Maurice Ravel , Carol Rosenberger , and Bosendorfer Imperial Concert Grand
Manufacturer: Delos Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Reverie: Carol Rosenberger
Night Moods
Singing on the Water
Perchance to Dream
Reflections in the Water

ASIN: B0000006V4
Release Date: 1992-05-22

Tracks:

Les Jeux D'eaux A La Villa D'Este
The Fountain Of The Acqua Paola
Jeux D'Eau
Ondine
La Cathedrale Engloutie
Jardins Sous La Pluie
Reflects Dans L'Eau
Poissons D'or
Ondine

Product Description

Piano: Solo

Customer Reviews:

Excellent performance, selections not what I hoped for.......2007-01-12

I can't possibly fault Carol Rosenberger's playing. She has the master's deft touch and finely tuned ear for musical nuance; and the piano, in her more-than-capable hands, becomes a magnificent vehicle for transferring considerable thought into beautifully realized interpretation. Ms. Rosenberger plays without unnecessary drama, conveying the mood one imagines the composers passionately hoped their audiences would hear.

My one quibble with this recording is very subjective: I had hoped that every track would be soothing to frazzled nerves. Instead, Rosenberger opted for diversity and includes some pieces that are more challenging to the listener. Many listeners will appreciate that aspect of the collection, I think, but it just wasn't what I was looking for.

Gorgeous collection of piano solos.......2002-09-17

I love this album, not only because I play piano and especially French composer. I love this because there are some rather rare pieces here (Ondine, by Ravel in particular) and because the mix works so well.

Tracks:

Sonata In G major, L. S28
Sonata In B Minor, L. I47
Sonata In F-Sharp Minor, L.481
Sonata In D Minor, L.267
Sonatat In G Major, F.120
Sonata In C Minor, L.9
Chorale Prelude 'Ich ruf' zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ
Sonata In E-Flat Major, Op.12, No.2: Rondo
Adagio sostenuto In F Major
Piano Sonata In B-Flat Major, Op.25, No.3: Rondo
Piano Sonata In A Major, Op.50, No.1: Adagio
Trois nouvelles etudes: Etude In A-Flat Major, No.1
Etude In E-Flat Minor, Op.10, No.6
Prelude In D-Flat Major, Op.28, No.15 'Raindrop'
Fairy Tale In A Major, Op.51, No.3
Feulilet d'album, Op.58
Etude, Op.65, No.3
Consolations In E Major, S.172, No.2

Customer Reviews:

wonderful gems.......2005-08-31

I remember how entranced I was seeing Horowitz perform on television and watching him craft and nurture the music. I've enjoyed his interpretations since and this recording was completely enjoyable. I enjoyed especially the Chopin, Clementi and Scryabin works. I'm glad I discovered it.

"New" Horowitz at his Best.......2000-03-25

The material for this album was recorded from 1962-1972, but not released until 1992. Horowitz was a perfectionist when it came to programming albums and recitals, and generally recorded more than was needed for an album--this is the extra material. The performances are uniformly outstanding.

Each of the six Scarlatti Sonatas are performed with Horowitz' usual clarity, technical prowess, and charm.

Horowitz "floats" the theme of the Bach-Busoni Chorale Prelude in a way few other pianists can match.

The four Clementi Sonata movements one again re-establish Horowitz as the greatest advocate of Clementi of his time. Especially noteworthy here is the E-flat rondo, tossed off with brilliant virtuosity while remaining true to the spirit of the composition.

Horowitz recorded more of Chopin's music than that of any other composer, so the additions to Horowitz' Chopin discography are truly icing on the cake here. The well known "Raindrop" Prelude is played on a larger scale than usual--the rain threatens to become a thunderstorm! The late Etude is a miracle of chord voicing, while the earlier Etude proves that one does not have to drown the work in a haze of pedal to achieve a legato effect.

With the Scriabin, we reach the climax of the album. The Album Leaf exudes a steamy vagueness, while the Etude in Fifths will set your nerves aflame(the last octave run sounds like the Horowitz of the 1940s.)

Both longtime Horowitz fans and newcomers to his art would do well to have this album in their collection.

Music Review: