Album DescriptionThis CD was recorded after a series of concerts commemorating the 190th birthday of Franz Liszt who was born on October 22, 1811. The first recital took place at the Alice Tully Hall of Lincoln Center, NYC, on October 22, 2001. Subsequent performances included recitals in Washington, D.C. and several European cities. The American recitals were introduced with a talk by Dr. Alan Walker, the notable Liszt authority and author of the definitive biographies of Franz Liszt. Jerzy Stryjniak's performances include solo piano recitals and piano concertos in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Hungary, Japan, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. He made his New York City debut at Carnegie Hall when he won the 1990 Special Presentation Recital Award. The New York Times described his debut as "impressive, dazzling and compelling." Later that year, he was invited to return for Carnegie Hall's Centennial Celebration. In 1992, Mr. Stryjniak was honored to perform on the occasion of the return of the ashes of Ignacy Jan Paderewski from Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., to Poland. He subsequently received the Paderewski Medal from Kazimierz Dziewanowski, the Polish Ambassador to the United States. After his recital at the Chopin Festival in Miami, he was awarded the title of Honorary Mayor of Palm Beach. Mr. Stryjniak is currently the Director and President of the New York Conservatory of Music in Manhattan. As artist in residence, he also teaches a select group of talented young pianists. He continues to conduct master classes in Europe as well as across the United States. The CD contains the most famous piano pieces by Franz Liszt including Hungarian Rhapsody no.2 with Cadenza by Sergei Rachmaninoff and Sonata in B Minor. 16-page booklet with notes by Farhan Malik in English, French and Polish. The CD was recorded by a sound engineer of the Carnegie Hall, Leszek Wojcik. Piano: Stainway&Sons, Hamburg. Cover photo: Larry Busacca.
Track Listings (7) - Disc #1