Search - Liszt, Wilde, Kersenbaum :: Piano Works

Excellent Reissue

Terry C. Kildal | Seattle, WA USA | 08/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a reissue of Earl Wild that was only available before on cassette under the Quintessence label. His playing is impeccable. The 2nd Ballad is the best ever recorded. His amazing technical and musical gifts are on display, recording quality good. A must have for the Liszt collector."

Add Wilde to Wild

Romanticist | Richmond, VA USA | 08/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is considerably more than simply a reissue of recordings by the magnificent Earl Wild. Most Lisztians will already know at least the stellar reputation of David Wilde, winner of the 1961 Liszt-Bartok International Competition and ever since acclaimed as one of the truly great--however less-known--exponents of Liszt's music. (He is still active, now enjoying an award-winning Indian summer on the audiophile Delphian label). Two of his very best recordings of Liszt are here: the "Norma" paraphrase and the Spanish Rhapsody. Ever since their EMI release in 1969, these recordings have held near-legendary status. They simply must be heard to be believed, and the engineering by no less than Christopher Bishop (then the soon to be the leader of EMI) allows the full range of Wilde's sound to be fully appreciated, from Horowitz-like barnstorming (what a left hand!) to the most delicate right-hand filigree. David Wilde's EMI "Norma" has for decades been acclaimed as one of the greatest Liszt performances ever, and when you hear this you'll know why. Even so, one must not slight the wonders in his performance of the Spanish Rhapsody, a more accomplished work. It has a broader emotional range, and Wilde's playing is marked by an incredible fusion of great chordal riches with stupendous forward propulsion. Both of those recordings are summits of the "Golden Age of Romanticism" style, but make no mistake--in Wilde's hands these works emerge as great works rather than mere showpieces. The shorter pieces, particularly "Isolde's Liebestod" are perfect balances for this marvelous record. They show the lighter, gossamer-like qualities of a super-virtuoso (things many a virtuoso can't do), wonderful to hear next to such overwhelming weight. Having Earl Wild and David Wilde on one set is too good to be true, especially at bargain price. With respect to the other pianist on this compilation, Sylvia Kersenbaum, given her recordings here I'm sorry that I don't know anything else of her playing. Although she doesn't scale the heights or plumb the depths that her disc-mates here do, her performances certainly hold to a high standard, and it is a credit to her that no one could say that she doesn't hold the place of a fine addition to round out a spell-binding set."