Which is the one to get?
Zimmerman with Ozawa and the BSO?
Quote from: James on December 08, 2007, 03:58:42 PM
This one here is top shelf all the way,
coupled with the great B minor Sonata...
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/415PZSM5BHL._AA240_.jpg)
Thanks James; I'd read the Richter was a good one too :)
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on December 08, 2007, 03:40:24 PM
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!) - ;) :D
I like Cziffra père et fils:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51CAB47100L._AA240_.jpg)
Quote from: karlhenning on December 08, 2007, 04:12:28 PM
I like Cziffra père et fils:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51CAB47100L._AA240_.jpg)
I'll try that, because I have more admiration for the Richter than love. 8)
Q
Quote from: Que on December 09, 2007, 12:22:01 AM
... I have more admiration for the Richter than love. 8)
Q
That's broadly how I feel about Richter (in general).
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.
Quote from: donwyn on December 09, 2007, 08:23:56 AM
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.
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.)
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.
Maybe you could also comment about Cziffra too. Thanks.
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.
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?
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?
Quote from: MichaelRabin on December 19, 2007, 01:02:33 PM
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?
Quote from: George on December 19, 2007, 01:11:05 PM
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 ::)
Quote from: orbital on December 19, 2007, 01:12:25 PM
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. ;)
I have the Richter Liszt PC 1 & 2 coupled with the Grieg PS, I believe.
Quote from: orbital on December 19, 2007, 01:12:25 PM
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.
Quote from: MichaelRabin on December 19, 2007, 01:06:15 PM
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?
Ehhh, no. :) Since I'm not familiar with other recordings.
Q
Cziffra, also Richter.
Sorry - it is not the Greig PS but the Liszt PS that is Richter's coupling.
Pennario/Leibowitz/London Symphony Orchestra is really great.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51QxaastcwL._SS500_.jpg)
How about Ax/Salonen/Philharmonia on Sony? The 2 concertos are coupled together with the Schoenberg concerto as well so that makes it extremely appealing to me because i have never heard the piece before. I was quite impressed by Salonen's extremely precise and biting Rite of Spring with the same orchestra and label, and of course the top notch recording quality that has so much clarity doesn't hurt as well. Any ideas?
Howard
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on December 08, 2007, 04:00:14 PM
Thanks James; I'd read the Richter was a good one too :)
This one is better. Live.
(http://cover6.cduniverse.com/MuzeAudioArt/350/352173.jpg)
Quote from: RWetmore on January 19, 2008, 04:59:39 PM
Pennario/Leibowitz/London Symphony Orchestra is really great.
Randall _ you're back! Good to hear from you.
I got to know these from a recording by a pianist called Dichter, which I still highly recommend. On CD I had Richter, which really is too subtle and understated for its own good in music that is basically joyful. Zimmerman is another committed and intelligent interpreter.
Quote from: Sean on January 20, 2008, 07:21:51 AM
On CD I had Richter, which really is too subtle and understated for its own good in music that is basically joyful.
It's all good and well not to like Richter's Liszt but to call him 'too subtle' misses the mark - for there is no more animated pianist out there!!
Richter typically goes in for being too excessive, too romantic, etc...NOT for being understated.
This has to be the first time I've ever heard him called out for his meekness (in Liszt)! ;D
Check the recordings out. I think he misses the point of the music on this occasion, playing these works like the Benediction or such.
Quote from: Sean on January 20, 2008, 08:05:52 AM
Check the recordings out. I think he misses the point of the music on this occasion, playing these works like the Benediction or such.
If you're referring to the Philips recording, I've "checked it out" aplenty.
There's nothing undernourished about it. 8)
He's all a-crackle in his live Budapest #2 from 1961 as well! So........
Although I am not a big fan of Liszt's music (so I obviously cannot make close comparisons) I would think that Van Cliburn's 1960's era recordings are at least among the best. Sound it pretty good analog from RCA and Liszt was one of Cliburn's favorite composers.
My faves are the ones by Samson Francois with Constantin Silvestri conducting.
I'm shocked, shocked, that no one has mentioned Lazar Berman's poetic performances with Giulini and the Vienna Symphony.
Sarge
Well, after all that I've just ordered this version:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/413MXWFNHCL.jpg)
Thanks for the input everyone - theres other versions I'd like to investigate as well based on the recommendations from this thread :)
Lazar Berman.
You mean there are people that own more than 1 recording of the Liszt concertos. :o
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51G9iGGU%2BwL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Quote from: Daverz on December 16, 2010, 02:46:25 PM
You mean there are people that own more than 1 recording of the Liszt concertos. :o
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51G9iGGU%2BwL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Yeah, we didn't all strike gold the first time around. ;)
Me, I started with the Cziffra and son recording on Seraphim.
I must put in a plug for a great recording of Totentanz here - Janis/Reiner.