Search - Franz Liszt, Lazar Berman :: Liszt: Années de pèlerinage (Complete Recording)

Practically perfect

Patricia A. Powell | gladstone, nj USA | 03/01/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Lazar Berman plays the complete "Années de pèlerinage"; The Première Année - Suisse, S.160, the Deuxième Année - Italie, S.161, and the Supplement aux Années de pèlerinage - Venezia E.Napoli, S.162. brillliantly.



Bits and pieces of the "Années de pèlerinage" are heard in the concert hall, but typically we hear all the pieces together only in a recording or video. The first two, S.160& S.161 were written when Liszt and his married mistress, Countess Marie d'Agoult, left France to avoid the scandal of her being pregnant with their first of three children. The last set of piece, S.162, was written much later near the end of Liszt's life.



In S.160 Liszt painted landscapes on the piano. In S.161 Liszt commented on art, poetry and literature. In S.162 Liszt seems to be reconciling his life, beginning here with "Angelus! Priere aux anges gardiens" ending with "Sursum corda"



Liszt pushed the envelop as to what was technically possible for a mere pianist, and what music could be brought forth from a mere 88 keys. Lazar Berman is up to the musical and technical challange of Liszt.



Like most listeners, I cannot help but be awed by the "Valee d'Obermann", and "Orage". Throughout the Années, Liszt (like Beethoven) used the piano like it was an orchestra.



I was not ready for Liszt when I was younger. The complexity of the music was lost on me. Now I hear Debussy, Wagner, and perhaps even Schoenberg in his music.



This is brilliant piano music, brilliantly played. I would highly recommend this recording to anyone adding Liszt, or more Liszt, to a collection."

10/10

Josh Lindsay | Whittier, CA USA | 04/08/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Classics Today gave this performance a 10 out of 10 for artistic quality, and a 9 out of 10 for sound quality, making it the perfect referential performance, without the special touches that some others might have added to the piece."

Insightful & Beautiful

E. Peeler | San Francisco, CA USA | 03/08/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A wonderful and insightful performance of these import works for solo piano. Quality of the recording is very good - a true reference recording of these works."