I've listened to a fair amount of Liszt's music for solo piano, but I'm not sure where to start in terms of my collection. What recordings do you all recommend? I'm particularly interested in the Transcendental Etudes, the Liebestraum, the Consolations, and the Years of Pilgrimage, but I'm also open to other recommendations in terms of works. I'd prefer to not spend a fortune, too. :)
One stop shopping!
[asin]B00005ND3L[/asin]
You might not want so much of it, of all by the same pianist, but there a big chunk of the best stuff here and Jorge Bolet was a superb exponent of Liszt.
Quote from: Il Barone Scarpia on March 07, 2011, 05:30:16 AM
One stop shopping!
[asin]B00005ND3L[/asin]
You might not want so much of it, of all by the same pianist, but there a big chunk of the best stuff here and Jorge Bolet was a superb exponent of Liszt.
I've considered that set, but I've heard that Bolet was a bit past his prime when he recorded it. You recommend it none-the-less?
Quote from: admiralackbar on March 07, 2011, 06:41:14 AM
I've considered that set, but I've heard that Bolet was a bit past his prime when he recorded it. You recommend it none-the-less?
Yes.
Quote from: admiralackbar on March 07, 2011, 04:46:18 AM
I've listened to a fair amount of Liszt's music for solo piano, but I'm not sure where to start in terms of my collection. What recordings do you all recommend? I'm particularly interested in the Transcendental Etudes, the Liebestraum, the Consolations, and the Years of Pilgrimage, but I'm also open to other recommendations in terms of works. I'd prefer to not spend a fortune, too. :)
One recording I've enjoyed is the one below. Very good stuff. Finding a copy may be more difficult, but worth it. It is the Transcendental Etudes played by Russell Sherman and a second disc of Earl Wild - Demonic Liszt. Both are classics.
[asin]B0001CCXBG[/asin]
Another alternative on the Transcendental Etudes is Arrau. Or, you can try the 1851 version performed quite well by Jando on Naxos. This one:
[asin]B0000014CY[/asin]
Another disc of interest could be:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/417N88FS03L._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
There are also numerous transcriptions discs including Bolet (as recommended or separate discs), Thibaudet, etc. Of course, you could also go all in with the new Leslie Howard Complete Liszt from Hyperion at 99 discs.
Quote from: admiralackbar on March 07, 2011, 04:46:18 AM
I've listened to a fair amount of Liszt's music for solo piano, but I'm not sure where to start in terms of my collection. What recordings do you all recommend? I'm particularly interested in the Transcendental Etudes, the Liebestraum, the Consolations, and the Years of Pilgrimage, but I'm also open to other recommendations in terms of works. I'd prefer to not spend a fortune, too. :)
Transcendental Etudes -- Richter; Gekic; Arrau
Years of Pilgrimage -- Fiorentino; Arrau
The recordings which mean the most to me are
Levy in the sonata and
Sofronitsky in the Dante Sonata
I also have enhoyed
Busoni in the Hungarian Rhapsody and
Annie Fischer playing Sospiro and
Paderewski playing La Leggierezza and
Cortot playing La Leggierezza and
Alexis Weissenberg and
Richter and
Sofronitsky in the Petrarchan Sonets and
Gould in Beethoven's 6th symphony and
Sofronitsky in Schubert/Lsizt and
Cziffra in the 1950s recordings of the Hungarian Rhapsodies for Hungaroton (be careful -- you need the right ones) and
Yudina in BWV 543 and Arrau in the second ballade and
Richter and
Arrau in the big sonata and
Ervin Nyiregyhazi in St Francis Walking on the Water and
Kempff in the Legends and
Raymond Lewenthal playing Hexameron
Two recent discoveries which have been giving me a lot of pleasure are
Howard's performance of the Symphonie Fantastique and the Hummel Septet
That Bolet box is phenomonal. My favourite Annees (excluding Bolet's incomplete set) is:
[asin]B000069KJ0[/asin]
Which is just magnificent.
Quote from: Lethe Dmitriyevich Shostakovich on March 07, 2011, 07:46:25 AM
That Bolet box is phenomonal. My favourite Annees (excluding Bolet's incomplete set) is:
[asin]B000069KJ0[/asin]
Which is just magnificent.
Yes that is terrific.
Also, any of the Arrau recordings on Philips are very good. I have them in a boxed collection, but it seems that nowadays you can pick them up in a series of single discs or 2cd sets.
I second the recommendations for the Berman set and any Gekic Liszt.
For a mellower side of Liszt, I really like Barenboim here:
[asin]B000024767[/asin]
Thanks, everyone, for the recommendations! I appreciate it.
It seems like the Bolet box, the Berman box, and the various Arrau discs on Philips are a good place for me to start.
Quote from: admiralackbar on March 07, 2011, 12:37:50 PM
Thanks, everyone, for the recommendations! I appreciate it.
It seems like the Bolet box, the Berman box, and the various Arrau discs on Philips are a good place for me to start.
Here's another plug for Gekic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PTe7808pzk
In my opinion, Lazar Berman owns the Transcendental Etudes.
In addition to the recordings mentioned already, it may be worth seeking out a fine EMI twofer with Vladimir Ovchinnikov playing the Transcendental Etudes. It is superb. The other disc includes other pianists, including Jeanne-Marie Darré, playing various works. Cziffra's Liszt box (the five disc EMI set) is worth considering, as are Arcadi Volodos' forays into the composer's music. Yukio Yokoyama's take on the Transcendental Etudes ain't none too shabby, either.
Quote from: Todd on March 07, 2011, 03:19:26 PM
In addition to the recordings mentioned already, it may be worth seeking out a fine EMI twofer with Vladimir Ovchinnikov playing the Transcendental Etudes. It is superb. The other disc includes other pianists, including Jeanne-Marie Darré, playing various works. Cziffra's Liszt box (the five disc EMI set) is worth considering, as are Arcadi Volodos' forays into the composer's music. Yukio Yokoyama's take on the Transcendental Etudes ain't none too shabby, either.
Seconded for the Ovchinnikov TEs - they are unsurpassed IMO. Other Recordings you might like to consider are
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41630WJ7ABL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51qVuotZ29L._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
For the Liszt sonata there are awesome recordings by Cziffra, Richter, Levy and Terence Judd.
But here is a good place to start.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41QCHTQJEQL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
To me Cziffra was almost Liszt reincarnated and once you get beyond the bravura stuff he produces some of the most profound and inspired Liszt I've ever heard. His Liszt B minor will blow you away not because of its virtuoso approach but because of it's depth of feeling and passion. The recording ends and you have been so involved you can't even applaud. On my first hearing I couldn't put on another piece of music as it I would not have been able to listen to it.
Quote from: Holden on March 07, 2011, 11:44:47 PM
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41630WJ7ABL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
I'll probably start with that 2 CD set. Seems like a good entry into Liszt.
That's high praise for Cziffra! I'll add it to the wish list. :)
I have Argerich in the Sonata and the 6th Hungarian Rhapsody. Good stuff.
Quote from: admiralackbar on March 08, 2011, 07:03:14 AM
I'll probably start with that 2 CD set. Seems like a good entry into Liszt.
That's high praise for Cziffra! I'll add it to the wish list. :)
I have Argerich in the Sonata and the 6th Hungarian Rhapsody. Good stuff.
I'd listen on youtube first, unless you intend to really build a Liszt library. There are very different styles at stake here. You may find that Arrau's TEs are just not the sort of thing you're looking for and Ovchinnikov or Richter's or Gekics or Berman's are. And then there are two Berman recordings -- rather different. I have all this stuff, and I can see good things in all of it.
Cziffra was born to play Liszt. Sometimes he was
hors concours . The recordings he made for Hungaraton, and the concert from Japan, are all astonishing.
There's a spiritual side to Liszt which you may like -- Fiorentino has a CD stuffed full of this type of music.
And there are good young Liszt pianists in addition to Cziffra -- Semet for example. Pietro de Maria's Liszt will be worth hearing, if he ever plays it.
Quote from: Mandryka on March 08, 2011, 07:29:29 AM
There's a spiritual side to Liszt which you may like -- Fiorentino has a CD stuffed full of this type of music.
AAAhhhh - how could I forget Fiorentino???? Cziffra is also excellent in the spiritual aspect
I add another vote for Cziffra in Liszt.
Cziffra and Bolet both look like good options. I'll keep my eyes open for a sale on either one or both of these boxes. Thanks again everyone!
Quote from: admiralackbar on March 08, 2011, 08:17:14 PM
Cziffra and Bolet both look like good options. I'll keep my eyes open for a sale on either one or both of these boxes. Thanks again everyone!
The 5 disc Cziffra set is available for around 14 £ on mdt. Cheap enough for me at least.
(http://www.marstonrecords.com/commonart/liszt-illuminated.jpg)
This arrived today! (Marston subscribers (like myself) get new releases before they are available for sale. You can subscribe for only all piano or all vocal releases or both.) I plan to listen to listen to this and post impressions soon.
Liszt Illuminated
Claudio Arrau, Jorge Bolet, and Gunnar Johansen
American Liszt Society Laureates
52065-2 (2 CDs)QuoteIt is with great pride and pleasure that the American Liszt Society sponsors the release of this 2 CD set on the occasion of the bicentennial of the birth of Franz Liszt. This compilation preserves contributions of three pianists (all American Liszt Society medal winners) to the performance legacy of the compositions and transcriptions of Liszt. Claudio Arrau, Jorge Bolet, and Gunnar Johansen each provide a unique perspective on Liszt's genius. Insightful notes are provided by Frank Cooper, Research Professor of Musicology at the University of Miami. In addition, personal recollections of their respective teachers are provided by Ira Levin, Gordon Rumson, and Garrick Ohlsson. Fully sponsored by the American Liszt Society.
Quote from: George on March 12, 2011, 12:00:50 PM
(http://www.marstonrecords.com/commonart/liszt-illuminated.jpg)
This arrived today! (Marston subscribers (like myself) get new releases before they are available for sale. You can subscribe for only all piano or all vocal releases or both.) I plan to listen to listen to this and post impressions soon.
Liszt Illuminated
Claudio Arrau, Jorge Bolet, and Gunnar Johansen
American Liszt Society Laureates
52065-2 (2 CDs)
Is the Bolet previously unreleased live material? And what Arrau did they choose? -- I'd be surprised if Marston has unreleased Arrau material, but you never know.
I listened to Gekic in the Dante sonata the other day and I thought it was very good. I'd say it's worth getting hold of that CD
I also enjoyed Nyiregyhazi in
Sunt Lacrymae Rerum. -- maybe the best thing I have heard from him. Here:
http://www.youtube.com/v/ljKu1SK2UHg
I'd be intersted to know if anyone knows any other paticularly successful performances of the three threnodies from the end of Book 3. I like dark, dark, tragic, morbid, gothic things.
(http://smileys.smilchat.net/smileys/mystic/mort1.gif)
Quote from: Mandryka on March 12, 2011, 01:47:45 PM
Is the Bolet previously unreleased live material? And what Arrau did they choose? -- I'd be surprised if Marston has unreleased Arrau material, but you never know.
Bolet:
Valse Impromptu in A flat, Tre Sonetti di Petrarca - Private Recordings
Ballade No. 2 - April 3, 1986 - Carnegie Hall
Rhapsodie Espagnole - Feb 5, 1972 - Tully Hall
Arrau:
Dante Sonata - Aug 1982 - Salzburg
B Minor Sonata - Nov 1977 - Toronto
Gnomenreigen - May 1963 - Lugano
QuoteI listened to Gekic in the Dante sonata the other day and I thought it was very good. I'd say it's worth getting hold of that CD
Yeah, Gekic is great. One of the best living pianists, IMO.
John Ogdon made some Liszt studio recordings in Japan in 1972. God alone knows what his state of mind was when he played them, but I for one have never heard anything like it. Reckless virtuosity, jaw dropping speed, depth of feeling and spontaneous. Good sound, close miked. This has to be heard to be believed. Released recently for the first time and available from cdjapan.co.jp and all other good outlets no doubt. cdjapan was much cheeper than amazon even when you factor in transport costs, at least if you pay in sterling.
[asin]B000BV7T3O[/asin]
-Transcendental Studies by Laszlo Simon on BIS. As far as I can remember it was the recording I have enjoyed most. Very enjoyable, though not "extravagant" like Cziffra.
- Ballades 1-2 and Polonaises 1-2 by Leslie Howard. Very enjoyable pieces and performances!
Quote from: Mandryka on March 12, 2011, 01:47:45 PM
Is the Bolet previously unreleased live material? And what Arrau did they choose? -- I'd be surprised if Marston has unreleased Arrau material, but you never know.
I listened to Gekic in the Dante sonata the other day and I thought it was very good. I'd say it's worth getting hold of that CD
I also enjoyed Nyiregyhazi in Sunt Lacrymae Rerum. -- maybe the best thing I have heard from him. Here:
http://www.youtube.com/v/ljKu1SK2UHg
I'd be intersted to know if anyone knows any other paticularly successful performances of the three threnodies from the end of Book 3. I like dark, dark, tragic, morbid, gothic things.
(http://smileys.smilchat.net/smileys/mystic/mort1.gif)
I too liked the dark, desolate Nyiregyhazi performance.
Sunt Lacrymae Rerum and the
Legendes were the highlights of the two Nyiregyhazi disks for me.
While not particularly dark or tragic, I've found the passion and poetry of these performances by Mykola Suk very special, in spite of some wrong and dropped notes. There is also a video of Mr. Suk playing the Liszt
B Minor Sonata on Youtube; it may be the same live performance recorded for this CD.
[asin] B002MJM8DY[/asin]
Liszt's
Funerailles and
Malediction are quite dark. I prefer the
Malediction version with the string sextet.
[asin] B00000JISI[/asin]
The late piano works can be terrifyingly bleak, despairing of life or meaning. Unstern is a good example.
[asin] B0000014FJ[/asin]
Hmmm, the Liszt photos on the Suk and Cohen covers appear to be two poses from the same session! :o
Quote from: Mandryka on March 12, 2011, 01:47:45 PM
I like dark, dark, tragic, morbid, gothic things.
Have you tried online dating?
I've started to get interested in big Liszt transcriptions.
It's quite hard to find recordings which make these things sound worthwhile and my experience of the big sets - Howard, Jando-- has been disappointing. But so far I've found three performances which take these works to another level -- totally capturing, enhancing the mystery of the originals. They are:
1. Gould's Beethoven 6
2. Nikolai Petrov's Symphony Fantastique (Russian Piano School)
2. Roger Woodward's Beethoven 3
The latter has never made it to CD, but a good transfer is on symphonyshare and I can tell you that it is very very very fine indeed.
Has anyone explored Katsaris's Beethoven/Liszt? -- Are there any special ones there? I have the CD with 4 on but it hasn't made an impact on me. He's not a pianist I have ever warmed to, even in Chopin Waltzes.
Also one thing I would quite like to have is a good performance of the Hummel/Liszt septet. Again Howard disappointed but I sense that this could be a nice piece of music in the right hands.
Quote from: vivolin on May 20, 2011, 08:59:19 AM
I too . . .
Yes thanks for those. I enjoyed the Suk Hungarian Rhapsodies a lot. I would like more of him -- this is some of the finest Liszt playing I have heard recently. I don't know a better HR 12 except maybe Cortot ( shame Levy is a bit disappointing there). HR 13 no less impressive, even if it doesn't quite efface memories of Busoni's extraordinary recording. The HR 8 is the best I haveheard ever. Full stop.
The sonata is distinctive too.
All on spotify.
I haven't heard the Cohen CD in the picture but I have heard his Dante Sonata and I thought it was good .
Arrau's version of the Trascendental Etudes is extremely beautiful, so passionate and refined, maybe one of the best performances I've ever listened to! Ashkenazy didn't record the whole set, but those etudes he played are superb as well.
I might suggest Campanella for the Hungarian Rhapsodies, and Richter both for the Piano Sonata and the Piano Concertos, they're absolutely great Liszt interpreters in my opinion.
For the Années de pèlerinage I could recommend the set with Brendel and Kocsis, definitely wonderful.
Ilaria
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on September 22, 2011, 01:11:59 PM
Arrau's version of the Trascendental Etudes is extremely beautiful, so passionate and refined, maybe one of the best performances I've ever listened to!
It's wonderful! :)
Quote from: George on September 22, 2011, 02:13:28 PM
It's wonderful! :)
I have to agree that the Arrau TEs are very special. I have performances by Cziffra, Ovchinnikov and Gekic yet the Arrau is not bombastic and captures the nature of these works very well. That said the other three definitely have a lot to offer in this repertoire.
Quote from: Holden on September 23, 2011, 12:38:00 AM
Ovchinnikov
I agree, Ovchinnikov's Trascendental Etudes are excellent as well.
Ilaria
Cziffra has been always hailed as the reincarnation of Liszt. I like the Etudes with Arrau and the b minor Sonata with Richter.. no surprises
But one excellent set is by France Clidat that Decca re-issued for Liszt anniversary, recorded in the seventies. Clidat is nicknamed Madame Liszt, she is as well a famous instructor based in Paris [asin]B003W16T0Y[/asin]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqR_oFMwSy4
Heard this one playing in a record shop and bought it on the spot:
[asin]B004I7MCHU[/asin]
Disclaimer: I own no other CDs composed by Liszt :P
Quote from: zmic on September 29, 2011, 01:51:54 PM
Heard this one playing in a record shop and bought it on the spot:
Disclaimer: I own no other CDs composed by Liszt :P
I don't own this disc but as a lifelong Liszt fan the samples I've heard (internet) sound mouthwatering. Good choice, I'd say.
Quote from: zmic on September 29, 2011, 01:51:54 PM
Heard this one playing in a record shop and bought it on the spot:
You did well.
Quote from: zmic on September 29, 2011, 01:51:54 PM
Heard this one playing in a record shop and bought it on the spot:
[asin]B004I7MCHU[/asin]
Disclaimer: I own no other CDs composed by Liszt :P
I just got this, and I'm struck by his vision of Liszt, his performances are absolutely stunning!
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41PVGPinpvL._SS400_.jpg)
I just got the above intriguing 10 CD set that has a lot of Liszt, namely the Hungarian Rhapsodies and the Transcendental Etudes.
But I'd like to discuss something else, the Rigoletto Paraphrase that I personally never took to, although I like or actually LOVE most of Liszt's music. Hearing Cziffra do this was actually a revelation as it is usually played as an empty virtuosic display.
He captures the anguish of Gilda, the bold propositioning of the Duke and the scorn of Maddelena.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk-lLgqMTWQ
Seeing this back to back with Pavarotti and Grubernova makes it all more visual and real:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgrCdM4jKzI
ZB
bump
Andsnes vs Rudy?
Katsaris?
Volodos?
Watt?
Hamelin?
Duchable?
Chui?
Nojima?
Perehia?
AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???
Pulled the trigger on Hough and Volodos.
Suppose I should get Kempff and Friere?
Quote from: snyprrr on May 30, 2012, 07:12:33 AM
Pulled the trigger on Hough and Volodos.
Suppose I should get Kempff and Friere?
I'd say cancel your orders and get all the Gekic and Arrau you can find.
Quote from: George on May 30, 2012, 08:12:25 AM
I'd say cancel your orders and get all the Gekic and Arrau you can find.
Ack! :o
They were cheap. Yea, I'm kinda flailing here at the Liszt. So, you say Arrau > Bolet? I've seen the Gekic name, will check.
Frankly, I was hoping to, rather than collect Liszt, collect different barnstorming pianists. I do need good sound, though, that's why I didn't start off with the more classic choices (though Hough's set has really gotten high marks from, what, everyone?). That's why you see all those names in the previous Post. I'm still curious about Katsaris.
Quote from: snyprrr on May 31, 2012, 06:15:13 AM
Ack! :o
They were cheap. Yea, I'm kinda flailing here at the Liszt. So, you say Arrau > Bolet? I've seen the Gekic name, will check.
Frankly, I was hoping to, rather than collect Liszt, collect different barnstorming pianists. I do need good sound, though, that's why I didn't start off with the more classic choices (though Hough's set has really gotten high marks from, what, everyone?). That's why you see all those names in the previous Post. I'm still curious about Katsaris.
Gekic's got great sound and that big, grand manner that suits Liszt well. Arrau finds the depth in Liszt's music. And don't forget, his teacher Krause was a student of Liszt's.
Quote from: George on May 31, 2012, 06:37:07 AM
Gekic's got great sound and that big, grand manner that suits Liszt well. Arrau finds the depth in Liszt's music. And don't forget, his teacher Krause was a student of Liszt's.
So far:
Campanella 'Late Pieces' (Brilliant)
Hough 2cd (Virgin)
Volodos (Sony)
Dichter '19 Hungarian Rh.' (Philips)
Naxos Vol.1 w/Arnaldo Cohen
Friere (Decca)
I could see myself sampling more of the Naxos Cycle,... Wolfram, Gekic,... I'm trying to keep it digital,...
This remastered SACD version of Cziffra's recordings of the Etudes and Rhapsodies contains some jaw-dropping virtuosity. If you want depth, perhaps look elsewhere, but if you want pianistic thrills, then this is it...and at a bargain price, too!
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51RkgKV6e3L._SS400_.jpg)
http://www.amazon.com/Hungarian-Rhapsodies-6-Liszt/dp/B0079J27G0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338738842&sr=8-1
I have been overlooking Liszt for some reasons (I think it's because his output is so unilaterally solo piano music).
I borrowed an Arrau disc from a friend containing Sonata in B minor and some other works. I'm somewhat impressed. Liszt's piano music sounds a combination of Chopin and Elgar to me (I remember reading that Elgar was influenced by Liszt. This seems to be true).
This Arrau performance is called monumental. Unfortunately the Philips disc is OOP and VERY expensive. ::)
There is always Jenö Jandó on Naxos but nobody calls his reading monumental...
Quote from: 71 dB on June 04, 2012, 01:44:12 AM
There is always Jenö Jandó on Naxos but nobody calls his reading monumental...
Well, I have his two discs of the Hungarian Rhapsodies, and those are excellent.
Quote from: karlhenning on June 04, 2012, 02:01:28 AM
Well, I have his two discs of the Hungarian Rhapsodies, and those are excellent.
Monumental > excellent ?
Thanks for the info Karl. Maybe I get the newer Naxos recording of the Sonata. The first one is said to suffer from bad sound (not so rare problem of the earliest Naxos releases).
Quote from: 71 dB on June 04, 2012, 02:31:59 AM
Monumental > excellent ?
I'm not certain that
monumental is the adjective by which any account of the
Rhapsodies will stand or fall,
Poju.
Quote from: karlhenning on June 04, 2012, 02:46:02 AM
I'm not certain that monumental is the adjective by which any account of the Rhapsodies will stand or fall, Poju.
I guess you're right about that... ;)
Quote from: karlhenning on June 04, 2012, 02:01:28 AM
Well, I have his two discs of the Hungarian Rhapsodies, and those are excellent.
They seem to get the highest marks for 'normality', considering that Campanella, Szidon, and Cziffra apparently 'do' things. I could tell simply from the samples that Szidon 'does' things,... Jando sounded the most natural. I got the
Dichter on Philips on a lark, not having heard a note (it was cheaper,... and, as we know, THAT's how to tell if an album is Great&Monumental!!).
I'm seeing all kinds of first choices in the Naxos here: Wolfram, Gekic, Cohen,...
Cohen, btw, has a second cd of Liszt on the Carlton Classics label, recorded waaay back in the early 90s!
I'm absolutely convinced by the Hough 2cd on Virgin: the man is truly in the pocket here. I can't stop listening to his
Lugubre Gondola II. Volodos, too, makes me forget Liszt and just hear.
Quote from: snyprrr on June 05, 2012, 06:42:09 AM
They seem to get the highest marks for 'normality', considering that Campanella, Szidon, and Cziffra apparently 'do' things. I could tell simply from the samples that Szidon 'does' things,... Jando sounded the most natural. I got the Dichter on Philips on a lark, not having heard a note (it was cheaper,... and, as we know, THAT's how to tell if an album is Great&Monumental!!).
I'm seeing all kinds of first choices in the Naxos here: Wolfram, Gekic, Cohen,...
Jando DOES improvise in bits of the Hungarian Rhapsodies, and he does add in his own spin at times. Szidon was my first set of the Rhapsodies, but ultimately they're my least favorite, for their sour feel, not very tasteful improvisations, and imho poor piano sound... I really like Misha Dichter on Philips, now very cheaply reissued on Newton. He is THE pianist for 'normality' - he strictly obeys the scores and reveals that even when you 'play it straight,' Liszt's own markings and intentions mean that there's nothing boring or foursquare about it.
Still, when I crave one of the rhapsodies, I usually turn to Jando first. Almost certainly my favorite Jando recordings ever.
Arnaldo Cohen's BIS sonata is fantastic. Anyone want to persuade me to try F-F Guy?
Quote from: Brian on June 05, 2012, 07:04:53 AM
. . . Szidon was my first set of the Rhapsodies, but ultimately they're my least favorite, for their sour feel, not very tasteful improvisations, and imho poor piano sound...
You seem,
Brian, to have "lived with" this set more, and to have given it a much fairer shake, than I. But I got to essentially the same result, only (as Treebeard would say)
hastily.
Quote from: karlhenning on June 05, 2012, 09:27:56 AM
You seem, Brian, to have "lived with" this set more, and to have given it a much fairer shake, than I. But I got to essentially the same result, only (as Treebeard would say) hastily.
My parents owned it, so it was the only Hungarian Rhapsody game in town as a kid/teen.
Quote from: Brian on June 05, 2012, 09:58:05 AM
My parents owned it, so it was the only Hungarian Rhapsody game in town as a kid/teen.
Besides Tom and Jerry I hope! :)
I was just comparing, and noticed that most everyone plays the 'Benediction de Dieu...' at @17mins., with some as quick as @15. Well, Kun-Woo Paik comes in at a venerating 22.5mins! I don't know about you, but I like this piece milked, and, frankly, he keeps the tempo very nice and steady. No one else even bothers; why, I don't know.
I frankly have nothing bad to say about the other versions I was comparing at the time, but I do wonder how a 15min. performance might sound. I was looking through what's available, and, the field isn't as big as one might expect. I would have stuck with Hough, but Paik's reading is obviously special. The sound in both is very very nice, and I can't think of too many other one-offs (Duchable on Erato is one), so, what do you think? Elsewhere, since I was comparing Hough and Paik, Paik seems to edge out Hough in delicacy in the famous 'Les jeux d'eau...', but it could just be the piano image in each. Paik ultra cheap recital (I got it for a penny) is really one of the sleeper Liszt recitals. He certainly nails every piece in a particular way, and his fortissimos illicit oohs and aahs.
Agreed that Paik's recital is an unexpected treasure; the slow tempo of the Benediction works very well to me.
As for the Hungarian Rhapsodies, I don't think that there's anything objectionable about tampering with the score so long as it's stylistically appropriate. It's in the nature of the works, and that's why an over-the-top rendition such as Cziffra's works very well. (Alfred Brendel once wrote of reclaiming the Hungarian Rhapsodies from the purely virtuoso; I'd prefer to reclaim them from the cerebral.)
I see Giovanni Bellucci has recorded them recently; this might be interesting stuff as he has both the chops and the flair for them.