Search - Liszt, Richter :: Piano Works

Awesome

Jose Araque | New York, NY USA | 07/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First off, you have to like Liszt to get this disc. Second, you have to be able to find this disc which is out of print: I finally got my hands on it in the second-hand market!



According to the liner notes this was recorded on February 5, 1958: all this Liszt in one single night? He gets so many colours in this recital: from the bravura finale of the Gnomereigen to the lyricism of the Nocturnes, and from the cheerfulness of the valses to the darkness of Funerailles and Cypreses this is Richter at the very height of his powers, and he did like Liszt. The Mephisto gets a performance without par too, I can only think of comparing it to the young Ashkenazy's version. The Cypreses also gets an exquisite preformance, ranging from the somber threnodie to a finale that opens like glory into the light.



All in all an outstanding release, one of the best."

A legendary recital

Dr Karl | 12/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The word legendary is much abused these days, but surely this is one of the few Liszt recitals that merit the accolade. Funérailles is given a colossal interpretation convincing even the most critical listener that here LIszt reaches heights of pianism on par with Beethoven's Hammerklavier of Schubert's last piano sonatas. Aux Cyprès de la Villa d'Este is given a memorable interpretation, not so much a painting in music as a musical experience that makes you see these cypress trees with fresh eyes. The shorter pieces are full of poetry, while Feux-follets, always a Richter favourite, is here given a performance that must surely terrorise other pianists. The smoothness, speed, precision and softness of his playing are miraculous. And this does not even begin to reach the bravura of Mephisto Valse. Here is truly an interpretation that is entirely unmatched by any pianist before or since. I have listened to many, but none comes close to Richter. It is a great shame that this amazing disc is currently unavailable due to copyright reasons."

Frightening Virtuosity!!!

Scriabinmahler | UK | 01/28/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
Richter plays these virtuoso tour de force works as if possessed by Liszt himself. Some fast passages in Mephisto and other pieces defies belief! Even Volodos, Sokolov and pletnev sounds tame in comparison. Only match is probably the legendary Simon Barere. Sound quality is poor for ADD (1958), but just good enough to appreciate delicacy of his playing. Richter's one and only recording of Liebestraum No.3 is included. MUST for any admiror of the master."