Only Liszt did it better!
04/03/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Okay, that might not be entirely true, but I'm very excited after listening to this 2-CD set of some of the best of Liszt's music for piano. We begin with the 'Dante' Sonata and end with the lovely Consolation no. 3. What's in between? Music of light and dark, angels and demons. The Sonata is played as I want it played--finally! And Earl Wild is telling a story here. But the power! the grace! the lyricism! I've been listening to a lot of Liszt this year, by several players, and I have to say that I'm going to buy as much Liszt by Earl Wild as I can get my hands on. Judging by these two discs, I place him pretty much at the top of the heap of Liszt players. They all have their strengths, yes, but there's something about Wild. I'd love to hear him play the Transcendental Etudes, the Years of Pilgrimage, Paganini Etudes, the Waltzes, the transcriptions... SO: buy this set and fall in love with Liszt again."
Untiring virtuousness!
Hiram Gomez Pardo | Valencia, Venezuela | 04/04/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"At the moment to recall the great Liszt interpreters in the last Century, Earl Wild must be always included, due he not only is owner of a prodigious and subduing technique, but besides, he possesses that fundamental lyric flight, so necessary at the moment to play this Hungarian composer.
Overwhelming expressiveness, éclat, powerful spelling, flair and dazzling fingering make of this CD an absolute must for all those who want to know the minimum facets of these fireworks pieces.
"