Search - Kovacs, Liszt :: Plays Liszt

This talented young Hungarian pianist turns in the longest Liszt sonata on disc, although it doesn't sound unduly protracted. The expansive timings have to do with her savoring of lyrical, rhetorical sections, stretching them as far as they'll go without falling apart. Krista Kovács then rebounds with blinding speed and piston-like articulation elsewhere. For jaw-dropping octave playing, check out the pianist's volcanic, tireless wristwork throughout the Dante sonata. Kovács gets antsy, though, when her fingers are not fully occupied, and her fidgeting in the Liebesträume obscures their origins as songs. All things considered, Kovács bears close watching. --Jed Distler