The Transcendental Piano

1. Symphonie, for piano, Op. 39/4-7
Composed by Charles-Valentin Alkan
with Mark Salman

2. Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
with Mark Salman

3. Sarabande und Chaconne aus dem Singspiel Almira, transcription for piano (after Handel), S. 181 (LW A290)
Composed by Franz Liszt
with Mark Salman

4. Mephisto Waltz, for piano No. 2, S. 515 (LW A288)
Composed by Franz Liszt
with Mark Salman

The Transcendental Piano,Charles-Valentin Alkan,Ludwig van Beethoven,Franz Liszt,Mark Salman,Titanic,Chamber Music & Recitals,Character/Single-Movement/Miscellaneous Work for Keyboard,Classical,Keyboard,Romantic Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard,Sarabande for Keyboard,Waltz for Keyboard

Average customer rating: Beautiful Music for a Romantic Evening perfect dramatic piano Arguably, one of the best classical pianists ever.

Liszt for Lovers: Piano Dreams of Love and Passion Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Character Pieces | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Nocturnes | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Dichter, Misha | ( D ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Etudes | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Etudes | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Sonatas | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Sonatas | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Chopin and Champagne: Set Your Mood for Romance Rachmaninoff for Romance: Passionate Music for Love and Desire Debussy for Daydreaming: Music to Caress Your Innermost Thoughts Tchaikovsky At Tea Time: A Refreshing Blend For Body And Spirit Vivaldi for Valentines: Romantic Interludes for the One You Love ASIN: B0000041NL Release Date: 1997-06-10

Tracks:

1. Liebestraum (Dream Of Love)
2. Waldesrauschen (Forest Murmurs)
3. Un sospiro (A Sigh)
4. Liebesbotschaft (Message of Love)
5. Widmung (Dedication)
6. The Maiden's Wish
7. My Darling
8. Die Loreley
9. Au Bord D'Une Source
10. Harmonies Du Soir
11. Les Jeux D'Eaux A La Villa D'Este
12. Sonata In B Minor - Andante Sostenuto
13. Isolde's Liebestodt

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful Music for a Romantic Evening.......2005-12-15

The CD insert design of the Set Your Life to Music series might suggest that this is a collection "Classical Lite." However, while this compilation provides some Liszt's most well-known music, these beautiful and deep pieces should not be mistaken for "easy listening." These are wonderful compositions by a great composer, performed by musicians of the highest caliber (especially Claudio Arrau). This is music to close your eyes to while listening to and enjoying every note and every nuance of the performances.

Most of the selections are performed by Claudio Arrau, one of the greatest pianists of the twentieth century, an acknowledged master of the Liszt repertoire and, furthermore, a pupil of one of Liszt's pupils. Arrau plays these selections with power, passion, sensitivity, and highly nuanced delicacy, depending on what a given passage calls for, as he takes the listener through the rising and falling tides of passion in Liszt's music.

The "non-Arrau" selections recorded by Misha Dichter, Wibi Soerjadi, and Zoltan Kocsis are also excellent. All the recorded selections, whether digital or analog, have very clear sound quality. Highly recommended, whether as an introduction to Lizst or to add to several other CDs of music by this great Romantic composer.

perfect dramatic piano.......2004-05-28

Both Liszt and Arrau are at their apogee in this CD. This is one the few piano cd's I've heard where Liszt's passionate genius is both appropriately frighteningly strong and beautifully tender (as many of his contemporaries noted 150 years ago). Arrau, always thoughtful, and with his emphasis on touch and color, and delicacy, penetrates to the heart of these sometimes breathtakingly orchestral piano sounds. This is lush arch-romantic piano with a huge nuanced sound, and a constant emotional ebb and flow (and sound volume) as powerful than any other composer of that tempestuous era I have heard. The cd is very clearly recorded with excellent dynamics. Every selection is strong and well chosen and the cd sets a very consistent brooding romantic mood. The best introduction to (and still my favorite) Liszt.

Arguably, one of the best classical pianists ever........2001-08-12

As soon as I heard the piano solo, Liebestraume, I immediately purchased this cd particularly because it contains some of the greatest piano pieces ever composed. During Liszt's lifetime, audiences were very appreciative of his talent and ability to express his emotions through the use of his piano. Influenced by Chopin, Franz Liszt ultimately achieved high status as a composer with the ability to play spectacular classical music. Some of the songs included possess titles about nature, and in one of the songs, the piano is played so brilliantly that it feels as if you're actually listening to fountains. Lovers of classical music should purchase this remarkable disc. And best of all, at a low price, this is a great bargain.

Average customer rating: Is a Lisztian Étude a study? THE ONE LISZT PIANO DISC TO OWN Phenomenal technique, beautifully displayed Pretty Good My Best Liszt Etudes

Liszt: The Complete Etudes Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Liszt: 10 Hungarian Rhapsodies Liszt: Favourite Piano Works Liszt: The Two Piano Concertos; The Piano Sonata Chopin: Etudes Franz Liszt: Complete Hungarian Rhapsodies ASIN: B0000041NE Release Date: 1997-11-11

Tracks:

1. 12 Etudes d'execution transcendante, S. 139: Prelude. Presto
2. 12 Etudes d'execution transcendante, S. 139: Molto vivace
3. 12 Etudes d'execution transcendante, S. 139: Paysage. Poco adagio
4. 12 Etudes d'execution transcendante, S. 139: Mazeppa. Allegro
5. 12 Etudes d'execution transcendante, S. 139: Feux Follets. Allegretto
6. 12 Etudes d'execution transcendante, S. 139: Vision. Lento
7. 12 Etudes d'execution transcendante, S. 139: Eroica. Allegro
8. 12 Etudes d'execution transcendante, S. 139: Wilde Jagd. Presto furioso
9. 12 Etudes d'execution transcendante, S. 139: Ricordanza. Andantino
10. 12 Etudes d'execution transcendante, S. 139: Allegro agitato molto
11. 12 Etudes d'execution transcendante, S. 139: Harmonies du soir. Andantino
12. 12 Etudes d'execution transcendante, S. 139: Chasse neige. Andante con moto

Tracks:

1. 3 Etudes de concert, S. 144: 1. Il lamento. Acapriccio - Allegro cantabile
2. 3 Etudes de concert, S. 144: 2. La leggierezza. A capriccio - Quasi allegretto
3. 3 Etudes de concert, S. 144: 3. Un sospiro. Allegro affetuoso
4. 2 Etudes de concert, S. 145: 1. Waldesrauschen
5. 2 Etudes de concert, S. 145: 2. Gnomenreigen
6. 6 Etudes d'execution transcendante d'apres Paganini, S. 140: 1. Il tremolo
7. 6 Etudes d'execution transcendante d'apres Paganini, S. 140: 2. Andantino capriccioso
8. 6 Etudes d'execution transcendante d'apres Paganini, S. 140: 3. La campanella
9. 6 Etudes d'execution transcendante d'apres Paganini, S. 140: 4. Arpeggio
10. 6 Etudes d'execution transcendante d'apres Paganini, S. 140: 5. La chasse
11. 6 Etudes d'execution transcendante d'apres Paganini, S. 140: 6. Th et variations

Amazon.com

No, these aren't really the "complete" Liszt études. The centerpiece to this collection is Claudio Arrau's Transcendental Études, recorded when the pianist was in his early seventies. He brings out the music's breadth and poetry by way of ample rubatos, a rainbow of color, and total avoidance of anything mechanical for its own sake. Conversely, Nikita Magaloff's light-fingered proficiency in the Paganini Études seems rather dry and workaday in comparison. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

Is a Lisztian Étude a study?.......2007-03-08

No, of course not. Far from being mere exercises designed to improve one's skills on the piano, Liszt's Études are music in and by themselves.

When they took their first form in 1838, the Paganini Études were pretty much devices for helping the pianist to exceed his own limits as a virtuoso and refine his technique. As Liszt matured as a composer and musician, however, he revised his Études aiming not only at making them sound more musical, but also at rendering them more economical in terms of expression. That's why they stood so well the test of time and sound to our modern/postmodern ears much more daring and original than most of what's been composed after his death. Arrau and Magaloff succeed in presenting the Études as complex, beautiful and exhilarating pieces of music - that's the main reason why this recording should be one of the first recommendations for those who are interested in Liszt's music as an art form rather than a series of pointless tricks and acrobatics on the piano.

One of the highlights is undoubtedly Magaloff's blistering performance of La Campanella. In his hands, the piece is not so much a spiritless exercise in virtuosity resembling the ringing of a bell as a desperate, wild and raging cry for help in a shattering world. As you listen to the music you can almost visualize the world being torn apart. Quite impressive. Pure romanticism, yes, but the most appropriate version of this piece for a 21th century listener.

THE ONE LISZT PIANO DISC TO OWN.......2006-12-21

If you have room in your collection for only one recording of Liszt's
solo piano works (and shame on you for that!), this should certainly be it. Arrau's work is simply magnificent -- a glittering, glistening display of brilliance, accompanied by a depth of feeling, an overwhelming heft, that makes it unique. And Magaloff (of whom, I am ashamed to say, I have not heard before)gives the Paganini transcriptions a crisp and technically superb reading, perhaps without the heft that Arrau is able to convey but still formidable. All in all, this is simply a disc for the ages.

Phenomenal technique, beautifully displayed.......2006-08-30

I just downloaded Kissin's Chasse-neige, the last of these twelve splendid Transcendental Etudes. Kissin, I must point out, is one of my idols, and gave a performance of old Chopin warhorses that left me speechless. I didn't even know these tired pieces could still sound so fresh and new in Kissin's hands. That said, I prefer Arrau's Chasse to Kissin's - somehow the anguish and beauty of this utterly unique etude come through more clearly than in Kissin's temperamental - but technically flawless - interpretation. This description extends to the entire collection of Arrau's Transcendentals. Particularly noteworthy are Mazeppa, Eroica, and the last three, Allegro agitato molto, Harmonies du soir, and of course Chasse-neige. Sure, Liszt wrote some hellaciously difficult stuff, and sure, many of us try to play it well. But in Arrau's hands, we see Liszt emerge as a phenomenal composer, and these technical Everests become works of art. I can't recommend this CD highly enough for those who want to get to know the work of a composer who changed the face of piano composition forever. Liszt is Romanticism taken to an extreme, I'll confess, but Arrau makes sure it's a daring and beautiful one.

And standing in the middle of a snowfall with Chasse-neige playing is an experience everyone should have sometime in his or her life. It makes perfect sense when you do it, but not until...

Pretty Good.......2005-03-18

As you can see from previous reviews, these CDs do not contain the definitive recordings for each and every etude, but its the best you can get for a complete set, which is hard to find anyway. Quite good if you would like all of the etudes, which is nice to have. Sound quality is decent.

My Best Liszt Etudes.......2005-02-02

My best Liszt Etudes so far. I have bought two of them, one as a gift to a friend. And years later, I have bought Arrau's Heritage album which consists also of these etudes.

Some people may find Arrau's Beethoven or even his Brahms authentic, others may find some of his Beethoven sonatas boring, however inspired they may be. But with his Liszt, there is no way that one will ever get bored: under Arrau's fingers, the etudes sound more like symphonies and tonal poems. They may not be stunning, but they are sublime and so thrilling that they actually reminds you, in different ways, of almost all Liszt's ups and downs.

I never like Bolet, let alone Kissin. For fascination, people may like to try Cziffra as well. But it is nothing like Arrau's Liszt at all. It is not clear if the inclusion of Magaloff is a coincidence. But he is well worth of our time, and we don't have a lot of his recordings anyway. Viewers might as well treat it as a bonus.

Average customer rating: The definitive "Pictures at an Exhibition" terrible coughs. The Most Memorialand Quoted Piano Recital from the 1950's The best interpretation of "Pictures at an Exhibition" I have heard Great but the worst recording i hear

The Sofia Recital 1958 Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mussorgsky | Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Impromptus | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Richter, Sviatoslav | ( R ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music $9.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Richter, Sviatoslav | ( R ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Bach: Well-Tempered Clavier Schumann: Piano Concerto / Sviatoslav Richter BBC Friends: Richter (Great Performers of the Twentieth Century) Liszt: The Two Piano Concertos; The Piano Sonata Brahms: Concerto No.2/Beethoven: Sonata No.23 ASIN: B0000523QI Release Date: 2001-03-13

Tracks:

1. Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
2. Pictures At An Exhibition: I Gnomus
3. Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
4. Pictures At An Exhibition: II II vecchio castello - Promenade
5. Pictures At An Exhibition: III Tuileries
6. Pictures At An Exhibition: IV Bydlo
7. Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
8. Pictures At An Exhibition: Ballet des poussins dans leurs coques
9. Pictures At An Exhibition: VI Samuel Goldenberg und Schmuyle
10. Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
11. Pictures At An Exhibition: VII Limoges: le marche'
12. Pictures At An Exhibition: VIII Catacombae: Sepulchrum romanum - Cum mortius in lingua mortua
13. Pictures At An Exhibition: La Cabe sur des pattes de poule
14. Pictures At An Exhibition: La Grande Porte de Kiev
15. Moment Musical in C Major, D780 no.1
16. Impromptu In E Flat Major, D899 No,2
17. Impromptu in A Flat Major
18. Etude In E Major, Op.10 no.3
19. Valse oubliee No.1 In F Sharp Major
20. Valse oubliee No.2 In A Flat Major
21. Etude d'execution transcendante No.5
22. Etude d'execution transcendante No.11
23. Prelude In G Sharp Minor, op.32 no.13

Customer Reviews:

The definitive "Pictures at an Exhibition".......2007-04-30

Not much more I can add to this. If you have any interest in the original piano version of "Pictures" at all then this is the one to get. Try Muti's for an excellent version of the piece as orchestrated by Ravel(Along with a great "Rite of Spring"; dirt cheap too)- Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibiton; Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring.

Nobody else understands "Pictures" as well as Richter and in his hands time melts and you are taken on a journey you will not soon forget. Richter pushes and pulls this piece wherever he wants and we the listeners are happy to follow him where he chooses to take us.

The piano sound is quite good for its time. Fairly full and with a good dynamic range. Unfortunately the audience seems to have a case of infectious coughing. Similar to the live Wartime recordings of Furtwangler in that respect. You get used to it though, and either way it doesn't matter in the hands of a performance of this stature.

There's a reason that you can still buy this nearly 50(?!) years after it was recorded. Not only are people still talking about this recital, but we are still waiting for a recording to match it in modern sound without audience interruptions. I suspect we may have to wait a long, long time.

terrible coughs........2006-11-16

there are two recordings that would've perhaps been much more appreciated had there not been several people who coughed their way through the entire concert. the furtwangler 1942 recording of Beethoven's sixth symphony and this one.
jesus. i'm not one to complain about coughing, but we have issues here. was it communism?? really, were russians this worse off???????

things set aside, the performance itself.. is magical.

i can't add much more to previous reviewers except this: expect one of the worst recordings from the 1950's... if you brainwash yourself into believing this is one of those naxos or pearl remastered 1920s recordings, you'll find yourself much more pleased.

The Most Memorialand Quoted Piano Recital from the 1950's .......2005-12-15

Svaitoslav Richter is the quintiessential pianist of the 20th century. This epic live recording of the Mussorsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" stands as the supreme recording of the piano version ever recorded. Although some will argue that Horowitz recorded of his this piece with is its numerous interpretative changes is also notable but is mearly a flashey more superficial rendition than Richter's. Richter here captures this pieces mistical and heavenly appeal so perfectly it seems its nuances are forever engrained in your mind. The Promenade is so stately and energetically expressed it seemingly gives us permission to enter a heavenly 30 minute musical forum. The variation number 5, 8, 10 and the next to last are my favorites. Being a pianist (and I use that term loosely) this recording has taught me so much with regards to vivid imagery. For example the next to last variation leaves me with the impression that it is someone taking the road to heaven and finally arrives at its gates. Then is looking at the Gates of Heaven as they Open. A grand moment in any life. Richters imagery is so perfectly unbalanced that he leaves us on edge to anticipate each colorful moment. This is truely my favorite recording in classical piano because it is so awe inspiring.

The best interpretation of "Pictures at an Exhibition" I have heard.......2005-11-17

Wow.

If the vivid imagery Richter creates in this live performance isn't enough to bring tears to your eyes, the technical prowess will certainly send you searching for the "repeat" button on your cd player.

Richter, as always, delivers an emotional and monumental performance.

Great but the worst recording i hear.......2005-10-01

fisrt of all excuse me for my bad englih, i m french ;o)
A concert recording can't be perfect, this is the worst i hear. All the people are ill and the record man was probably far as 50m of the piano behind a door.
So, Why three stars ?
because i love this music and nobody play it as Richter this day.
Great music, Great moment...

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 Galops | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Character Pieces | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Nocturnes | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Chopin: The Piano Works Brahms: Works for Solo Piano Works for Solo Piano Schubert: The Piano Sonatas Rachmaninov: The Piano Concertos ASIN: B00005ND3L Release Date: 2001-10-09

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

1. Die Forelle
2. Der Muller Und Der Bach
3. Wohin?
4. Lebe Wohl!
5. Das Wandern
6. Der Lindenbaum
7. Horch, Horch, Die Lerch
8. Auf Dem Wasser Zu Singen
9. Die Post
10. Aufenthalt
11. Lob Der Tranen
12. Erlkonig
13. I. Allegro Con Fuoco
14. II. Adagio
15. III. Presto
16. IV. Allegro

Tracks:

1. Lento Assai - Allegro Energico -
2. Andante Sostenuto
3. Allegro Energico - Andante Sostenuto - Lento Assai
4. Valse Impromptu
5. I. 'Hohe Liebe' In A flat
6. II. 'Selinger Tod' In E Flat
7. III. 'O Lieb' In A Flat
8. Grand Galop Chromatique

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

1. I. Preludio: Presto
2. II. Molto Vivace
3. III. Paysage: Poco Adagio
4. IV. Mazeppa: Allegro
5. V. Feux Follets: Allegretto
6. VI. Vision: Lento
7. VII. Eroica: Allegro
8. VIII. Wilde Jagd: Presto Furioso
9. IX. Ricordanza: Andantino
10. X. Allegro Agitato Molto
11. XI. Harmonies Du Soir: Andantino
12. XII. Chasse-Neige: Andante Con Moto

Tracks:

1. Zwei Konzertetuden: I. Waldesrauschen
2. Zwei Konzertetuden: II. Gnomenreigen
3. I. Il Lamento
4. II. La Leggierezza
5. III. Un Sospiro
6. I. Andante Con Moto
7. II. Un Poco Piu Mosso
8. III. Lento Placido
9. IV. Quasi Adagio
10. V. Andantino
11. VI. Allegretto Sempre Cantabile
12. Reminiscences De Don Juan

Tracks:

1. Reminiscences De Norma
2. Totentanz (Danse Macabre)
3. Malediction
4. 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.

Many of these recordings have not been available for a while. Get them before they're history!

Average customer rating: Very good BUT....Improv in Liszt?? Liszt presented in all his magnificence Lisztmania Vital; impeccable; a treasure trove Good - but where's the poetry?

The Best Of Liszt Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Character Pieces | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Nocturnes | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Dichter, Misha | ( D ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Liszt: Favourite Piano Works Chopin: Favorite Piano Works Liszt: The Two Piano Concertos; The Piano Sonata Liszt: 10 Hungarian Rhapsodies Liszt: The Complete Etudes ASIN: B0000041D2 Release Date: 1996-02-13

Tracks:

1. Mephisto Waltz No. 1
2. Die Loreley
3. Hungarian Rhapsody No.11 In A Minor: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 11 In A Minor
4. Harmonies poetiques et religieuses: No. 7 Funerailles
5. Schwanengesang: No. 1 Liebesbotschaft
6. Annees de pelerinage: Premiere annee: No. 4 Au bord d'une source
7. 3 Etudes de Concert: No. 3 Un sospiro
8. Liebestraum No. 3 In A flat
9. Etudes d' execution transcendante: No. 3 In G Sharp Minor 'La campanella'
10. Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12 In C Sharp Minor
11. 3 Etudes de Concert: No. 2 La leggierezza
12. Annees de pelerinage: Troisieme annee: No. 4 Les jeux d'eaux a la Villa d'Este

Tracks:

1. Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 In C Sharp Minor
2. Fantasia On The Waltz from Gounod's 'Faust'
3. Valse oubliee No. 1 In F Sharp
4. Valse oubliee No. 2 In A Flat
5. Hungarian Rhapsody No. 13 In A Minor
6. Annees de pelerinage: Premiere annee: No. 6 Vallee d'Obermann
7. Hungarian Rhapsody No. 14 In F Minor
8. Annees de pelerinage: Premiere annee: No. 7 Eglogue
9. Widmung
10. Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6 In D Flat

Customer Reviews:

Very good BUT....Improv in Liszt??.......2005-08-24

I find for the most part this is an excellent recording and "La Campanella" is breakthaking in its rhythmic dynamics and especially in the upper keyboard trills that are so much a part of this piece's intense virtuosity. I wish someone would reissue Gary Graffman's long out-of-print recording of this piece. I recall it being the best I ever heard.
Where I have serious reservations is in Dichter's playing of the etude "Un Sospiro". I am open to being corrected but where in the world did he come up with the insertion of a 4 or 5 bar improvisation before the recapitulation of the theme? I've never heard that before. But for overall GRAND Liszt playing, I agree with the on-line reviewers-nothing beats the Jorge Bolet recordings.

Liszt presented in all his magnificence.......2005-01-03

There are a ton of great, well-known pieces on this 2-CD set, and it's a fantastic deal! Very beautiful in all respects except that, I agree with the reviewer below--the DB range of playing is not as wide or dynamic as it should be. It would be better if it was a bit HARDER and more powerful!--this is essential for the passion and intensity that Liszt created. Also, Mephisto Waltz seems to have been shortened. But all in all, good collection at a good price.

Lisztmania.......2004-06-01

This Phillips label compact disc presents us with many fine works for piano by the incredible Franz Liszt (1811-1886) who together with Frederic Chopin revolutionzed the piano for the 19th century. On here are the Mephisto Waltz, Hungarian Rhapsodies No. 1-12, Etudes, Valses and transcriptions from Paganini's La Campanella and the Waltz from Gounod's opera Faust.
I like to think that the first cd, tracks 1-10 represents the softer side of Liszt. His friendship with Frederic Chopin influenced his lighter, romantic and nocturnal type of music, which are found in such works as Schwanengesang (Swan Song) "Un Sospiro" and Les Jeux D'Eux A La Villa D'Este. The second cd, tracks 1-10 represent some of the more dramatic and intense works for piano, among them the Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 in C Sharp Minor, which opens the second cd. The work has been orchestrated, it's polyphonic festive mood has been used in the Looney Tunes cartoons. It is meant to describe the folk dancing of Hungary. The Fantasia on the Waltz from Gounod's Faust is incredibly demanding and sweeping, beautiful in this rendition. All the works are performed by the piano artist Misha Dichter. Although to be quite honest, this is not the best of Franz Liszt per se. It only provides us with high quality piano works. But Liszt was more than a radical new pianist, he was also a fine orchestral conductor. He invented the symphonic poem, or tone poem, which was greatly used in the 19th century, influencing such composers as Tchaikovsky, Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss. Why did'nt they have Liszt's great symphonic poems the Dante Symphony and the Faust Symphony ? Also the Dance Of Death Totentanz should have been here, also his fantastic piano concerto. These days, it's hard to find a great interpreter of Franz Liszt. So much of his music is out of this world. It feels like only an octupus with millions of hands and fingers would aptly play his complex, multi-melodic score.

Vital; impeccable; a treasure trove.......2002-10-17

I've lived with this CD, and similar Liszt CD's by artists of equal fame, for at least two years. My admiration -- my gratitude -- for this one rises with each listening. I believe that Liszt would be very grateful for these performances, could he hear them. It is difficult to imagine a pianist serving a composer more thoroughly than Dichter does here. There is no careless note, yet no faltering in momentum or vitality. Dichter has mastered the music, yet remains its servant. His performances of the few meditative pieces on this CD are as impeccable as his work on the many bravura ones; deeply felt, and tastefully expressed. This seems a treasure house to me; its length is 145 minutes. The engineers have depressed or compressed the dynamic range, I think; there is not enough difference between piano and forte for my taste... I am perhaps equally fond of Philips' 2-disc edition of Liszt's Annees de Pelerinage I-III, performed by Brendel and Kocsis, 289-462-312-2. Philips' 2-disc edition of Lizts's etudes, with Arrau and Magaloff, is of less interest to me at this time; I suppose this is my reaction to the compositions themselves.

Good - but where's the poetry?.......2001-05-11

A very good and recommended recording. The only thing I miss is more lyricism. Traditionalists may argue that lyricism has little place in Liszt, but look and listen! There are lots of beautiful melodic passages that need carefull attention to phrasing and tone. It would make this recording milder and sweeter to the ear. But as far as the virtuosity is concerned, no complaints. But don't forget, you can only be flashy for so long before it gets dull....!

Average customer rating: Powerful yet poetic interpretation An achievement, though mainly negative Greatness personified--a Kissin we may never hear again Liszt is celebrating in his grave... Fantastic piano

Schumann: Fantasy; Liszt: Transcendental Etudes Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Robert Schumann | Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Kissin, Evgeni | ( K ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Chopin: The Four Ballades, Berceuse, Barcarolle, Scherzo No. 4 Schubert: Piano Sonata in B-flat; Schubert-Liszt: Four Songs; Liszt: Mephisto Schumann: Piano Concerto Evgeny Kissin: Beethoven, Franck, Brahms Chopin, Volume 1 ASIN: B000003FY4 Release Date: 1996-03-26

Tracks:

1. Fantasy, Op. 17 In C Major: Durchaus phantastisch und leidenschaftli
2. Fantasy, Op. 17 In C Major: Massig: Durchaus energisch
3. Fantasy, Op. 17 In C Major: Landsam getragen: Durchweg feise zu hatten
4. Etudes d'execution transcendante: 12. Chasse - neige
5. Etudes d'execution transcendante: 11. Harmonies du soir
6. Etudes d'execution transcendante: 5. In F Minor
7. Etudes d'execution transcendante: 5. Feux follets
8. Etudes d'execution transcendante: 8. Wilde Jagd

Amazon.com essential recording

These works present severe challenges even to the most accomplished virtuosi, and Kissin comes through with flying colors. He responds to the Schumann, which requires both tenderness and passion, with exquisite sensitivity and power. If Kissin doesn't quite match the excellent versions by Richter, Arrau, and Horowitz, he does convey the ardent passion and volatility of the score. Kissin's Liszt is on a similar level; what it occasionally may lack in moments of tranquility is more than made up for with spontaneity and daring--few pianists before the public today take so many risks and emerge unscathed. Above all, this disc illustrates Kissin's pianistic mastery, his affinity for drama and color, and his sheer delight of engagement with the instrument. An immensely enjoyable disc. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Powerful yet poetic interpretation.......2007-01-15

A highly recommended recording. I have played Schumann's Fantasy and Liszt's Transcendental etudes, and have listened to numerous recordings, yet Kissin's performance really caught my attention. Dazzling technique with inspiring, refreshing artistry!!! A collection not to miss!!

An achievement, though mainly negative.......2006-10-28

I can see how a person with no musical history in "classical" music would be impressed with Kissin; his technique is flawless and his playing arresting. However, I can find no understanding in how one singles out Claudio Arrau's masterful recording of the entire set of Transcendentals in his seventy-fifth year to attempt to compare with this sophomoric, ritalin-inspired perusal. Indeed, Kissin manages to zip through Feux Follets without bringing out a single musical nuance in the score; his shading is non-existent. Compared with Arrau's version, which actually makes one SMILE while imagining the little devilish will-o'-the-wisps gleefully misguiding their unfortunate victims, there simply is no comparison. Kissin's playing, on the other hand, actually sounds like a parody of itself; as if he were accompanying a 20s-era silent film starring himself running about frantically (and aimlessly) from place to place. While initially awe-inspiring, such playing is without genuine musical insight and thus, exists less to be enjoyed than endured.

Greatness personified--a Kissin we may never hear again.......2006-03-18

"Come back, Shane--I mean, Yvgeny." Apparently the great Kissin has ridden away from his role as the ideal virtuoso, a lion of the keyboard with a poet's touch. Now his recitals are drastic ups and downs--the moments of coarseness and grandstanding outnumber those of finesse and beauty. On this CD from 1996, however, his Schumann is perfection, an example of controlled abandon and inward feeling tied to supreme technique. I can't imagine a better C major Fantasy in the grand manner of Horowitz and Rachmaninov.

Even better are the breathless Liszt Transcendental Etudes. The piano is a supremely egotistical instrument, thanks in large part to Liszt's bombastic heroics. Kissin adds a touch of genuineness to his world-dominating technique. As a result, this is the most satisfying Liszt I've heard since Richter's great days. The Harmonies du soir alone would put Kissin in the pantheon. Indeed, only Richter surpasses him here, and that's only because Richter showed a more idiosyncratic personality, one large enough to overwhelm even Liszt's titanic ego. Will we ever hear Kissin in such form again? Time awaits with the answer.

Liszt is celebrating in his grave..........2006-01-06

Ok lets do a very quick simple excercise - blindfold yourself and think of Arrau as X. Listen to the fifth etude " Feux follets". Then listen to Kissin (Richter and Berezovsky if you wish). You will notice that Kissin plays it about 4 times faster and with more precision (and in my opinion also beautifully though this point is not necessary to get my message across).
Only in the most Orwellian of Orwellian worlds can you call Arrau's performance better than Kissin. The main point of these pieces by Liszt is to show command and virtuousity at the piano (and even an argument as to some type of emotion that Arrau has that is lacking in the Kissin would be real embellishment).
Now don't get me wrong... not all pianists have to have superb techniques. But when it is blatantly obvious that Y pianist has a superior technique to X pianist.... there are a number of implications as far as I am concerned:
1. a pianist with a noticeable lesser technique will most likely never be considered a mega pianist. I am sorry but there are just too many good pianists out there who have a combination of technique and other attributes.
2. Said pianist should avoid pieces such as Chopin and Liszt etudes and pieces that display virtuosity.
3. When running comparisons, in the framework of reviews or talk, discrepancies in technique must be pointed out and illuminated.
No different is done with gymnasts in the Olympics... no matter HOW elegant they are....if they make technical mistakes they lose out from the get go.

The crux of all this is that we have to set a clear standard. The first thing that is imperative for a pianist is:
1. mastering the technique of a piece
2. not making mistakes (wrong notes) within reason.

ONLY AFTER this can we start to delve into the complex world of interpretation, musical intelligence, etc.

Don't get me wrong I am at times dissatisfied with Kissin because of his lack of insight/intelligence/expression (sometimes he is too quick, intense and bangy even when playing the nocturnes for example). I am sorry but the technique in the etudes here are beyond any other rendition that I have heard. Although the Schumann falls short I challenge someone to present a more technically brilliant and explosive rendition of these etudes than Kissin. In addition I would reccommend Richters performance in the famous Sofia Recital. Also Busoni recorded this in the 1920s.

Fantastic piano.......2005-12-28

A fantastic recording. The pieces are difficult to play but by Kissin, he masters it. The CD came this afternoon and I've played it 4 times already.

Average customer rating: great music, great pianist, terrible recording One of the last giant pianists in Liszt's repertoire! ONE OF THE GREATEST PIANISTS: TECHNICALLY ASTOUNDING, EMOTIONALLY POWERFUL

Liszt: Sonata in B minor/Funerailles/Transcendental Etudes Sviatoslav Richter Manufacturer: Palexa Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Richter, Sviatoslav | ( R ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Historic Russian Archives: Sviatoslav Richer in Concert Sviatoslav Richter Archives, Vol. 10 The Sofia Recital 1958 Liszt: The Two Piano Concertos; The Piano Sonata BBC Friends: Richter (Great Performers of the Twentieth Century) ASIN: B000AMPZQM Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

1. Sonata In B Minor, S. 178
2. Funerailles
3. No. 1 'Prelude'
4. No. 2 (Molto Vivace)
5. No. 3 'Paysage'
6. No. 5 'Feux Follets'
7. No. 7 'Eroica'
8. No. 8 'Wilde Jagd'
9. No. 10 (Allegro Agitato Molto)
10. No. 11 'Harmonies Du Soir'

Album Description

Sviatoslav Richter (1915-1997) is numbered among the finest pianists of the 20th century. He exhibited all the best traits of the Russian school of playing: dynamism, lyrical expressiveness, and a wide range of tonal color. Combined with his typical thoughtfulness, subtlety, and attention to style, these qualities assured Richter of a distinguished international career. For many listeners, indeed, he was the paragon of balance among virtuosos, the pianist who exhibited the greatest equality among the elements across his musical palette. The West first became aware of Richter through recordings made in the 1950s. He was not allowed to tour the U.S. until 1960, and then created a sensation. Touring, however, was not Richter's forte. He preferred an intimate concert venue, and in later years took to playing in small, darkened halls, sometimes with only a small lamp lighting his piano. The centerpiece of this release, the B minor Sonata of Liszt, was recorded live in Carnegie Hall on May 18, 1965 when Richter was at the height of his powers, and only one week after Vladimir Horowitz had appeared on the same stage for his famous "Return Recital". Funérailles recorded Budapest, 1958; Etudes, Moscow, 1956.

Customer Reviews:

great music, great pianist, terrible recording.......2006-10-09

No one can deny Richter's brilliance, especially as applied to the notoriously difficult Liszt repetoire. Unfortunately, this monaural recording was made live in the '50's and the tape hiss is more audible than the upper piano register. Another reviewer (RBS) noted that the sound quality was not great (!); actually it is terrible. I don't know enough about sound engineering to know if remastering would save it; it sounds as if it were taped with one mike.

One of the last giant pianists in Liszt's repertoire!.......2006-08-21

To play Listz demands from you several fundamental aspects; a total domain of the breadth into the phrasing, plain conviction of the meaning of the thematic material beneath the score and additionally, an evilness technique, a sense of the organic flow of the piece. To be true just a few pianists may sustain for instance the overall attention of the listener playing a particular piece of The years of pilgrimage, for instance.

In this sense we might consider Richter as one of the most distinguished interpreters of Liszt during the sixties and one of the most important in the seventies, because fortunately several emblematic pianists emerged in the seventies: Bruno Rigutto, Lazar Berman, Mijail Rudy, apart of the expected reappear of Erwin Nyireghihazi in 1973.

Sviatoslav Richter was gifted of that ability to create atmospheres, aspect nothing to easy to achieve, because there are so many details to take into account at the meantime that it turns a very heavy burden to sustain.

Nevertheless he did it, and if he has not entirely included among the great Lisztian pianists, he has earned a significant place, since the last two decades.

One of the most difficult barriers to surpass in the case of Richter has to do with his ambitious repertoire that barely in four decades established by himself many achievements in which concerns privileged composers. From Tchaikovsky to Cesar Franck, on one hand; but his Schubert (Sonata D. 960)and his Schumann (Búnte blatter) literally renovated the soul of the flaming performer according the tradition established by Sigismund Thalberg, Anton Rubinstein or Adolf von Henselt. He was by far, much more introspective than his homologous Horowitz, but his repertoire was infinitely major, as well as his abstraction capacity.

So that's the reason why I don't even hesitate just a blink, at the moment to recommend you this special compilation of Liszt' s works. These performances possess vigor, audacious and mercurial expression.

ONE OF THE GREATEST PIANISTS: TECHNICALLY ASTOUNDING, EMOTIONALLY POWERFUL.......2006-02-13

Five Amazing Stars!! I would give it SIX but...(see my note). Sviatoslav Richter was simply in a class attained by few classical pianists. A contemporary of Vladimir Horowitz, he was one of the best there ever was!! And, as shown on this CD recorded between ages 40 and 50, he was a thorough-going perfectionist who was demanding: demanding of himself, of his instrument, and of his audiences. This CD captures him playing Liszt like his life depended on it. Technically astounding and emotionally powerful, he didn't let one extreme over take the other, but maintains a balance that simultaneously dazzles us and touches our sensibilities. Certainly not an easy task for any artist, but perfect for any pianist tackling the complexities of Liszt, who was arguably regarded by many as perhaps the world's best pianist himself. Imagine playing something he composed!

Recorded in three locations spanning the years 1956 to 1965, he was in his prime and playing his "A" game when these recordings were made. And, of course, Liszt is no easy task for any pianist. Indeed, I use Liszt as a guage of a pianist's degree of accomplishment, there is simply no place to hide. Mortals don't rush in to a Liszt performance without some pause. Richter is AWESOME throughout.

The Piece De Resistance is the 1965 Carnegie Hall recording of Liszt's B Minor Sonata and it is BREATHTAKINGLY beautiful. Beyond the beauty, some of the passages are absolutely jaw dropping, nearing the edge of physical fingering possibility, as Liszt probably intended. Of the Transcendental Etudes/S.139, my favorites are an absolutely scorching read of No 2 (Molto vivace), with some of the bass notes lost in the recordings shortcomings, and a wonderfully heroic read of No. 5 (Feux follets), and No 8 (Wilde Jagd) with it's searing arpeggio. Highly Recommended with a caution. Five Stars.

(Notes:
*The recording quality is good but not great, Indeed it cries out for remastering in the future. There is one jump from a vinyl disk imperfection in one place and some audible noise in other places, requiring equalizer adjustments. The bass notes are muddled at times. Also some pieces end abruptly. Some of the audience coughing makes it tough on the listener but, hang in there, Richter's power passages more than make up for the bad mike placement. These performances cry out to be heard. These days the mike is placed to nullify audience noise and enhance the music. No wonder Keith Jarrett is so hard on his audiences. LOL.
* UPDATE: in the 12 months of my ownership, this CD has never left it's rotation in my 5 CD changer and is played first each morning of every day. With Ahmad Jamal and Elis Regina getting similar special treatment, only two CD slots are available for new music.)

Average customer rating: Watts is the Man! I AM NOT A LISZT PURIST A big technique, but Watts is a low-key Liszt interpreter Sad. A well-tempered recording.

Liszt: Piano Sonata in B minor; Paganini Etudes; Hungarian Rhapsody No. 13; Transcendental Etude No. 10 Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Nocturnes | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No.1/Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No.2 The Royal Edition - Brahms: Piano Concerto no 2 MacDowell: Piano Concerto No.2/Liszt: Piano Concertos No.1 & No.2 Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 13, 14 & 23 'Appassionata' Chopin: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 ASIN: B00005NEZU Release Date: 2001-08-14

Tracks:

1. No. 1 In G Minor
2. No.2 In E Flat Major
3. No.3 'La Campanella'
4. No. 4 In E Major
5. No.5 'La Chasse'
6. No. 6 In A Minor
7. Hungarian Rhapsody No. 13 In A Minor
8. En Reve - Nocturne
9. Transcendental Etude No.10
10. Lento Assai
11. Andante Sostenuto
12. Fugue - Coda

Customer Reviews:

Watts is the Man!.......2006-12-29

I highly recommend this cd. Mr. Watts does a excellent job of interperting the Paganini Etudes-especially La Campanalla, in my opinion Watts plays it better than Kissin. Even though Kissin plays it 13 sec. faster, but with less emotion. Rhapsody No. 13 is played with virtuosity and power. he plays the Transcendental Etude differetly than most people, but it is still nice. The Sonata was a little dissapointing, some parts weren't as exciting as Naida Cole's verison. For the Sonata get Cole's verison. But over all a very good buy! Nice job Mr. Watts!

I AM NOT A LISZT PURIST.......2006-11-05

AND THEREFORE AM PUZZLED WHY THE FIRST TWO REVIEWERS THINK A BUDGET RELEASE SHOULD HAVE TO 'DELIVER' "ABSOLUTE PERFECTION"! SPEND MORE $$$ AND CHECK OUT THE REVIEW BOOKS, FOR GODS SAKE!

CZIFFRA IS ONE THING YET I FIND THIS CD TO BE EXCITING, BEAUTIFUL, NEVER BORING, AND VERY WELL RECORDED. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR THE PRICE!

A big technique, but Watts is a low-key Liszt interpreter.......2006-06-16

Mr Wilkinson has gotten his wrist slapped for writing such a blunt review, but even for a listener who is sympathetic to Andre Watts, still the most famous Afro-American classical pianist in the world after forty years, it's discouraging that his impressive technique didn't lead to musical growth. Many of his best recordings date from the beginning of his career. This flashy Liszt recital includes all the notes, but as Wilkinson says, it's all a bit muddled and aimless musically.


He's also right to point out that Watts displays none of the flashing brilliance and fire of a Volodos or Kissin, and La Campanella is indeed tinkly in his hands. The great B minor Sonata is given a flabby run-through, as is everything else here. I am giving three stars in sympathy with Watts' intentions, too guilty to award what he really deserves.

Sad........2005-09-25

I find it shocking that Mr. Watts chose to tackle a project like this. He is clearly and sadly out of his league. Why, oh why, when recordings of the great Cziffra (the master Liszt interpreter) survive to put this poor effort to shame and when a dazzling talent like Kissin can play "La Campanella" with so much power, grace, and precision, would Mr. Watts choose to embarrass himself with these tinkling, muddled, hesitant, and contrived interpretations? Mr. Watts, "You have been lied to!"
Oh, Volodos, where are you?

A well-tempered recording........2005-03-08

Andre Watts accomplishes the difficult task of giving elegant musicality to pieces which, to a great extent, are technically demanding for the sake of being technically demanding. With the Paganini Etudes in particular, it's easy for an interpreter to be distracted by the sheer technical difficulties(such as the relentless jumps in "La Campanella" ), and neglect to highlight the nuances of the piece's harmonics, rhythm, dynamics, etc.
The only reason I've decided to give this recording 4 stars is a glaring, repetetive error in Paganini Etude No. 3, in the section where the right hand plays the theme, which alternates with a mordent an octave higher. For some reason, Watts decided to play the mordent in sloppy, erroneous fashion. In a recording by a professional of his stature, such a distorted passage is puzzling. It is the only obstacle standing in the way of this being my favorite interpretation of La Campanella.
For a truly superior version, be sure to check out Jorge Bolet's Liszt recordings.

Average customer rating: Astounding Live Recording! Aahhh!! Astounding I love Symphonic Etudes, Op.13 Schumann.

Carnegie Hall Debut Concert Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Robert Schumann | Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Nocturnes | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Kissin, Evgeni | ( K ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Evgeny Kissin Plays Brahms Evgeny Kissin: Beethoven, Franck, Brahms Schubert: Piano Sonata in B-flat; Schubert-Liszt: Four Songs; Liszt: Mephisto Chopin, Volume 1 The Legendary 1984 Moscow Concert ASIN: B000003F0Q Release Date: 1990-11-10

Tracks:

1. Variations On The Name Abegg: Variations On The Name Abegg, Op. 1
2. Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13-Sinfonische Etuden: Theme
3. Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13-Sinfonische Etuden: Variation I
4. Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13-Sinfonische Etuden: Posthumous Variation I
5. Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13-Sinfonische Etuden: Variation II
6. Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13-Sinfonische Etuden: Variation III
7. Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13-Sinfonische Etuden: Variation IV
8. Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13-Sinfonische Etuden: Variation V
9. Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13-Sinfonische Etuden: Variation VI
10. Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13-Sinfonische Etuden: Posthumous Variation IV
11. Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13-Sinfonische Etuden: Posthumous Variation V
12. Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13-Sinfonische Etuden: Variation VII
13. Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13-Sinfonische Etuden: Posthumous Variation III
14. Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13-Sinfonische Etuden: Variation VIII
15. Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13-Sinfonische Etuden: Variation IX
16. Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13-Sinfonische Etuden: Posthumous Variation II
17. Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13-Sinfonische Etuden: Variation X
18. Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13-Sinfonische Etuden: Variation XI
19. Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13-Sinfonische Etuden: Finale

Tracks:

1. Sonata No. 6, Op. 82 In A Major: Allegro moderato
2. Sonata No. 6, Op. 82 In A Major: Allegretto
3. Sonata No. 6, Op. 82 In A Major: Tempo di valzer lentissimo
4. Sonata No. 6, Op. 82 In A Major: Vivace
5. Liebestraum No. 3
6. Rhapsodie Espagnole: Folies d'Espangne et jota aragonesa
7. Waltz, Op.64, No. 2 In C Sharp Minor
8. Transcendental Etude, No. 10
9. Widmung
10. Etude, Op. 2, No. 3 In C Minor

Amazon.com

Kissin's U.S. debut recital confirmed his status as a major pianist. The Prokofiev Sonata No. 6, one of Kissin's specialties since he was in his early teens, is very fluent and impressive, but it doesn't have the power the music needs for maximum impact. In fact, a lack of really powerful bass from the pianist's left hand (not a fault of the recording) lightens the weight of his playing throughout. But both sets of Schumann Variations are convincingly played (and contrasted), and Kissin's Liszt playing is as dazzling as any you'll hear. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Astounding Live Recording!.......2007-04-02

I agree with other reviewers that this is one of the truly exceptional live recordings - reminiscent of Horowitz at Carnegie Hall so many years ago (except that Kissin does not miss a note!). His technical skill and command of the piano are amazing - just listed to Liszt's Spanish Rhapsody or the Transdendental Etude. I saw Kissin in Berlin when he made his West European debut in '87 and still vividly remember that performance. This recording, only a few years later, has the same remarkable quality. And to think the guy was so young when he performed this recording!

Aahhh!!.......1999-08-27

What can one say about a recital like this one? You loose words when you front such a stunnig performance in every way. I just wonder how many pianists smashed their instuments in anger and restlessness after having heard that teenager whoop of some of the most demanding works of the piano repertory in such a flawless way. The teqnical bravura is unbelivable and the deep insight and understanding of the works performed shines throughout. I once saw Kissin live myself and my advice to you is to do it also (if that situation pops up). You'll be far richer.

Astounding.......1999-07-23

This recording signaled Kissin's 'arrival'. There is so much to priase here, but one must remember that this is the playing of a teenager at his debut in the world's premier concert hall; imperfections are to be expected. Almost shocking, then, is the near-perfection of Kissin's playing, and not merely in getting round the notes, but in his complete command of every piece here.

While the Prokoviev is hair-raising, the real 'genius' piece here is the Liszt Spanish Rhapsody, by far the best I've encountered. Such power, control, singing line, humor, everything one might ask for in big Liszt playing. Anyone doubting Kissin's greatness need only listen to this. No matter how you slice it, one of the great debut recordings, in the same league as Argerich's (an exalted league to be sure).

I love Symphonic Etudes, Op.13 Schumann........1998-01-18

Posthumous Variation V is my Astral world. Nothing brings me more tender healing than listening to it. I love his possession of that fair. END

Average customer rating: Excellent Reissue

Liszt: Works for Piano Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B0007RO56G Release Date: 2005-05-24

Tracks:

1. Ballade No.2 In B Minor - Earl Wild
2. Tarantelle Di Bravura - Earl Wild
3. Sonetto Del Petrarca No.104 - Earl Wild
4. Sonetto Del Petrarca No.123 - Earl Wild
5. Valse Oubliee No.1 - Earl Wild
6. La Campanella - Earl Wild
7. Feux Follets - Earl Wild
8. Ricordanza - Earl Wild
9. Paysage - David Wilde
10. La Chasse - David Wilde
11. Waldesrauschen - David Wilde
12. Gnomenreigen - David Wilde

Tracks:

1. Rhapsodie Espagnole - David Wilde
2. Isoldes Liebestod - David Wilde
3. Reminiscences De Norma - David Wilde
4. Hexameron - Sylvia Kersenbaum
5. Valse Infernale - Sylvia Kersenbaum
6. Polonaise - Sylvia Kersenbaum

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Reissue.......2005-08-20

This is a reissue of Earl Wild that was only available before on cassette under the Quintessence label. His playing is impeccable. The 2nd Ballad is the best ever recorded. His amazing technical and musical gifts are on display, recording quality good. A must have for the Liszt collector.

Track Listings:

1. The Unknown Recordings (1957-1969)
2. Theatre Organ: Wurlitzer & Compton Organs
3. Third Book of Sonatas
4. Toccatas & Correnti 2
5. Vespers From Bologna
6. Wilhelm Peterson-Berger: Symphonies 1 and 5
7. Works for Transverse Flute 2
8. 1539 Music for the Wedding of the Duke of Florence
9. A Touch of Latin
10. Baroque Guitar Quartets

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