Liszt PC's 1 & 2 CD recommendations

[Solitary Wanderer]

Which is the one to get?

Zimmerman with Ozawa and the BSO?

[Solitary Wanderer]

This one here is top shelf all the way,
coupled with the great B minor Sonata...

Thanks James; I'd read the Richter was a good one too 

[SonicMan46]

Which is the one to get?

Zimmerman with Ozawa and the BSO?

SW - that's the one I own at the present time (could change my mind, though!) - 

[karlhenning]

I like Cziffra père et fils:

[Mark]

Zimmerman with Ozawa and the BSO?

I'd go with that.

[Que]

I like Cziffra père et fils:

I'll try that, because I have more admiration for the Richter than love.

Q

[Mark]

... I have more admiration for the Richter than love.

Q

That's broadly how I feel about Richter (in general).

[Dancing Divertimentian]

When it comes to Liszt few capture the sheer bravura of the music like Cziffra and Richter.

Zimerman (<--- correct spelling) has a poetic touch that's endearing for a wide range of composers but I find he isn't 100% compatible with Liszt. Yes, poetry is necessary in Liszt but where Liszt's music really shines is when poetry is combined with free-wheeling pyrotechnics - all bound up in a sort of tzigane goodness. Zimerman seldom indulges in such displays. No bad thing - I love Zimerman in select repertoire.

But Liszt with requisite homespun razzle-dazzle Cziffra and Richter are hard to beat.

[George]

But Liszt with requisite homespun razzle-dazzle Cziffra and Richter are hard to beat.

Indeed, and the Richter was better recorded, IMO, bringing you closer to the music.

[not edward]

Where's sidoze when you need him for quality hard-to-find Russian pianist recommendations?

I actually prefer Zimerman over Richter and the Cziffra that Karl mentioned--for me the Richter doesn't quite catch fire, while Cziffra is let down by his son's pedestrian conducting. (The best Liszt PCs I've ever heard were rebroadcasts some years ago on BBC Radio 3--Cziffra caught live on the wing, though I don't remember the orchestra or conductor: hopefully this will come out on BBC Legends some day.)

[MichaelRabin]

In this survey, please tell us why you chose these recordings and describe the sound quality and performances. Could you include comments about Richter, A Cohen, Moog, Zimerman, Thibaudet, Berezovsky & others. Thanks.

[MichaelRabin]

Maybe you could also comment about Cziffra too. Thanks.

[orbital]

I think I have three verions (of #1) Argerich/Abbado (which I bought because of the Chopin PC#1 on the same disc), Sauer (part of Box Set), an early Michelangeli from 1940s (the CD had very interesting material) .

Argerich is pretty good although the pieces were never the object of my purchases in any case.

[MichaelRabin]

The Cziffra & Richter were recorded in much earlier days - so the performances are excellent but the sound for both recordings is a bit "boxy". Any suggestions for more modern performances which are almost as good as the Richter & Cziffra but in more modern & up-to-date sound? How is the Arnaldo Cohen version on BIS that was given a 10/10 on CT?

[MichaelRabin]

Sorry Que - but was busy & did not see the other forum thread buried deeper down the GMG forum. Any other input besides your "admiration for Richter than love" comment?

[George]

The Cziffra & Richter were recorded in much earlier days - so the performances are excellent but the sound for both recordings is a bit "boxy". Any suggestions for more modern performances which are almost as good as the Richter & Cziffra but in more modern & up-to-date sound? How is the Arnaldo Cohen version on BIS that was given a 10/10 on CT?

Do you have the newer remastering of the Richter in the 50 Great Performances series?

[orbital]

Do you have the newer remastering of the Richter in the 50 Great Performances series?

Is there a Liszt PC in either the Kiev of Prague sets? I can't seem to remember 

[George]

Is there a Liszt PC in either the Kiev of Prague sets? I can't seem to remember 

Nope. But there's a Liszt sonata in volume 13 of the Kiev. The Prague has some solo Liszt, but no Concerto. 

[MichaelRabin]

I have the Richter Liszt PC 1 & 2 coupled with the Grieg PS, I believe.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Is there a Liszt PC in either the Kiev of Prague sets? I can't seem to remember 

If you can locate them Music & Arts has a pair of live Liszt PCs, though spread over two CDs with various couplings. The first PC is with Ancerl (forget orchestra and date) and the second is with Ferencsik and the Hungarian State Orchestra from 1961. This one I have and it's splendid, recorded a mere two months after the Philips London set.