Earl Wild Plays Liszt (The 1985 Sessions)

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Earl Wild is a premier Lisztian, one of the great Romantic pianists of our age, claims easily confirmed by this two-disc set of major Liszt piano works recorded in 1985 and issued here in splendid sound. The attributes of Wild's playing are all present on these discs--a big, burnished tone, the technique to make even the most difficult works sound easy, and mastery of both subtle rubato and grandiloquent rhetoric, both indispensable for satisfying Liszt playing. We hear these immediately in the Dante Sonata, where Wild's brazen colorings and wide dynamic range capture Liszt's depiction of the poet's Inferno. And we hear those pianistic virtues at the end of the recital as well, with a gently flowing, poetic Consolation No. 3. The Sonata has been recorded by most of the century's great pianists, but Wild's interpretation is compelling by virtue of its flowing narrative approach--you feel he's telling a dramatic story that seethes with passion and has long chapters of philosophic reflection. Perhaps it's that storytelling aspect of Wild's Liszt that makes it so individual and at the same time so true to the Lisztian spirit. Everything on these discs is played at the highest level. Miss it at your peril. --Dan Davis

Classics Today, June 2001
This deserves a worthy place in any good piano library. Wild never fails to channel his virtuosity toward musical ends.

Album Description
Critics and audiences all over the world have praised Earl Wild's virtuosity and musicality. In a continuing celebration of his 85th birthday, Ivory Classics is re-issuing some of his most collectible and most admired performances of Franz Liszt's masterpieces. Available for the first time in remastered 24-bit high definition HDCD encoded sound!

Earl Wild Plays Liszt (The 1985 Sessions)

Tracks:

'Annees De Pelerinage' Second Year: Italy, S.161: Dante Son (Andante Maestoso...
'Annees De Pelerinage' Second Year: Italy, S.161: Sonetto No.47 Del Petrarca (Preludio Con Moto...
'Annees De Pelerinage' Second Year: Italy, S.161: Sonetto No.104 Del Petrarca (Agitato Assai...
'Annees De Pelerinage' Second Year: Italy, S.161: Sonetto No.123 Del Petrarca (Lento Placido...
'Annees De Pelerinage' Third Year: S.163: Les Jeux D'eau A La Villa d'Este: (Fountains Of The...
Ballade No.2 in b, S.171: Allegro Moderato - Lento Assai - Tempo I - Lento Assai - Allegretto...
Liebestraume (3 Notturnos), S.541: No.2 in E flat (2nd Version): ('Seliger Tod') (Quasi Lento...)
Liebestraume (3 Notturnos), S.541: No.3 in A flat: ('O Lieb, So Lang Du Lieben Kannst!) (Poco...
Conc Etude No.3 in D flat, S.144 'Un Sospiro': Allegro Affettuoso
Fant And Fugue in g, S.463: Fant (Grave)
Fant And Fugue in g, S.463: Fugue (Allegro)
Son in b, S.178: Lento Assai - Allegro Energico - Grandioso - Recitative - Andante Sostenuto...
Son in b, S.178: Fugue: Allegro Energico - Piu Mosso - Stretta Quasi Presto - Presto...
Die Loreley (Second Version), S.532: Nicht Schleppend
Harmonies Poetiques Et Religieuses, S.173: Funerailles: Intro (Adagio) - Lagrimoso - Poco...
Seventeen Polish Songs, Op.74 'Six Chants Polonais', S.480: My Joys (Nocturne) (Quasi Allegretto)
Mephisto Polka, S.217: Allegretto
Consolation No.3 in D flat, S.172: Lento Placido

Amazon.com

Earl Wild is a premier Lisztian, one of the great Romantic pianists of our age, claims easily confirmed by this two-disc set of major Liszt piano works recorded in 1985 and issued here in splendid sound. The attributes of Wild's playing are all present on these discs--a big, burnished tone, the technique to make even the most difficult works sound easy, and mastery of both subtle rubato and grandiloquent rhetoric, both indispensable for satisfying Liszt playing. We hear these immediately in the Dante Sonata, where Wild's brazen colorings and wide dynamic range capture Liszt's depiction of the poet's Inferno. And we hear those pianistic virtues at the end of the recital as well, with a gently flowing, poetic Consolation No. 3. The Sonata has been recorded by most of the century's great pianists, but Wild's interpretation is compelling by virtue of its flowing narrative approach--you feel he's telling a dramatic story that seethes with passion and has long chapters of philosophic reflection. Perhaps it's that storytelling aspect of Wild's Liszt that makes it so individual and at the same time so true to the Lisztian spirit. Everything on these discs is played at the highest level. Miss it at your peril. --Dan Davis

Album Description

Critics and audiences all over the world have praised Earl Wild's virtuosity and musicality. In a continuing celebration of his 85th birthday, Ivory Classics is re-issuing some of his most collectible and most admired performances of Franz Liszt's masterpieces. Available for the first time in remastered 24-bit high definition HDCD encoded sound!

Customer Reviews:

Untiring virtuousness!.......2006-04-05

At the moment to recall the great Liszt interpreters in the last Century, Earl Wild must be always included, due he not only is owner of a prodigious and subduing technique, but besides, he possesses that fundamental lyric flight, so necessary at the moment to play this Hungarian composer.

Overwhelming expressiveness, éclat, powerful spelling, flair and dazzling fingering make of this CD an absolute must for all those who want to know the minimum facets of these fireworks pieces.

Only Liszt did it better!.......2001-04-03

Okay, that might not be entirely true, but I'm very excited after listening to this 2-CD set of some of the best of Liszt's music for piano. We begin with the 'Dante' Sonata and end with the lovely Consolation no. 3. What's in between? Music of light and dark, angels and demons. The Sonata is played as I want it played--finally! And Earl Wild is telling a story here. But the power! the grace! the lyricism! I've been listening to a lot of Liszt this year, by several players, and I have to say that I'm going to buy as much Liszt by Earl Wild as I can get my hands on. Judging by these two discs, I place him pretty much at the top of the heap of Liszt players. They all have their strengths, yes, but there's something about Wild. I'd love to hear him play the Transcendental Etudes, the Years of Pilgrimage, Paganini Etudes, the Waltzes, the transcriptions... SO: buy this set and fall in love with Liszt again.

Earl Wild plays Grieg, Säint-Saens & Liszt

Average customer rating:

Temperament, tune and technique!

Earl Wild plays Grieg, Säint-Saens & Liszt
Grieg , Saint-Saens , Liszt , and Earl Wild
Manufacturer: Chesky Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1; Fauré: Ballade; Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1

ASIN: B000003GD8
Release Date: 1994-02-22

Tracks:

Piano Concerto In A Minor: Allegro Moderato Molto
Piano Concerto In A Minor: Adagio
Piano Concerto In A Minor: Allegro Moderato Molto e Marcato
Piano Concerto 2 In G Minor: Andante Sustenuto
Piano Concerto 2 In G Minor: Allegro Scherzando
Piano Concerto 2 In G Minor: Presto
Hungarian Fantasy

Customer Reviews:

Temperament, tune and technique!.......2006-12-12

The distinguished refinement of Earl Wild has not been acknowledged in its fair dimension. Technique, temperament expression and brilliant warmth are one of his most evident features. And this recording captures him in an European repertoire by which he always felt a special empathy. There haven't been so many pianists capable to devote themselves in such artistic level. Through his lifetime career Wild in his undeniable Romantic temperament searched untiringly new pages of the immense unknown repertoire, revitalizing so names of composers reserved for connoisseurs and hard fans of the genre as Scharwenka, Alkan, Paderewski or Dohnanyi. Somehow he belongs to the last tradition of anthological interpreters of the Romantic tradition as well as Michael Ponti, Raymond Lewenthal.

Fortunately names such Marc Andrea Hamelin or Arkadi Volodos have written their names for the music lovers of the future.

Wild was part of the first generation of notable American pianists in the raising Century. Born in 1915; after him there would be other names such as Eugene List, Byron Janis, William Kapell, Leon Fleisher, Gary Graffman, and Van Cliburn but certainly he was one of the pioneers.

This record is absolutely indispensable in your personal collection.

Average customer rating:

A legendary musical gem!

Earl Wild Plays Liszt in Concert

Manufacturer: Ivory Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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Earl Wild plays Gershwin

ASIN: B00008V60H
Release Date: 2003-04-22

Album Description

Continuing the recent Ivory Classics releases of live - In Concert Earl Wild performances, we now present this new disc consisting of all solo piano pieces of Franz Liszt. All pieces are taken from material performed in recitals from London - 1973, Chicago - 1979 and Tokyo - 1983. Earl Wild, the legendary 87-year-old Grammy award winning dean of pianists plays the music of Franz Liszt like no one else. Super virtuosity and romantic elegance make this truly a disc to own and treasure.

Customer Reviews:

A legendary musical gem! .......2007-05-31

The peerless expression, sublime virtuosity and untamed energy displayed by this outstanding pianist, proves by far he belonged to a musical generation that simply has vanished.

His flaming fingering has engaged to any listener since the first bar. And this selection includes certainly, one of the most difficult piano passages you and me ever know. He surmounts all the obstacles with an impressive easiness and absolute comittment.

This album includes the most celebrated moments about Liszt in three different periods of his life, as well as three different auidences around the world. 1973, 1979, and 1983, in which Wild was in his 58, 64 and 68, respectively. Bravura passages performed without any difficulty will make of you a future hard fan of him,in case you have not listened him yet.

So,when you decide to acquire this album, your choice will be right, because we are talking about one of the supreme American pìanists of the last Century, underrated for great audiences around the world by unexplainable reasons.

Average customer rating:

Earl Wild Plays Brahms & Liszt

Manufacturer: Vanguard Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000K0LY
Release Date: 1999-08-17

Tracks:

Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book I: Theme
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book I: Var.1
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book I: Var.2
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book I: Var.3
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book I: Var.4
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book I: Var.5
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book I: Var.6
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book I: Var.7
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book I: Var.8
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book I: Var.9
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book I: Var.10
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book I: Var.11
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book I: Var.12
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book I: Var.13
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book I: Var.14
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book II: Theme
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book II: Var.1
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book II: Var.2
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book II: Var.3
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book II: Var.4
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book II: Var.5
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book II: Var.6
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book II: Var.7
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book II: Var.8
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book II: Var.9
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book II: Var.10
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book II: Var.11
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book II: Var.12
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book II: Var.13
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35. Book II: Var.14
Ballades, Op.10: No.1 in d, 'Edward'
Ballades, Op.10: No.2 in D
Ballades, Op.10: No.3 in b
Ballades, Op.10: No.4 in B
Paganini Etude No.2 in E flat

Earl Wild plays - Beethoven Sonatas Nos. 7 & 23 plus Beethoven /Liszt 1st Symphony

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Earl Wild plays - Beethoven Sonatas Nos. 7 & 23 plus Beethoven /Liszt 1st Symphony

Manufacturer: Ivory Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000JCBJ
Release Date: 1999-06-15