Search - Franz Liszt, Frederic Chopin, Robert Schumann :: Liszt: Piano Sonata in B minor; Funérailles

What can one say?

laguna_greg | Guess where in CA USA | 04/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a pianist, and I own a number of recordings of the Liszt sonata. The artistic problems in the piece are equally great for the pianist and listener alike. I am not always thrilled with Horowitz's playing- it is often glittering, shallow, and nothing more. If you hang around a conservatory or a good college music program at all these days, you'll hear, believe it or not, that kind of thing from kids not-yet-20 who really think that's all there is to music-making. Yet thankfully, many of Horowitz' later mannerisms and sang froid are absent on this disc as these recordings date from the early '30's, although he always projects a slight coolness even at his most involved. The Liszt sonata is compelling, expressive and not rushed except in one obviously precipitious phrase ending. The listener hears both the diabolical and the angelic romance most explicitly. A seamless and plangent (and seldom-encountered-elsewhere) legato is evident throughout; singers everywhere are envious. Virtuosity is not displayed as an end in itself, yet what dynamic fire! To lose one's self in that is beyond imagining. The Funerailles is equally convincing. The Chopin are lovely, intimate and sparkling in turns, all very personal statements from the pianist, and both the Schumann entries are exceptionally idiomatic. A WARNING: the sound quality (early mono) is not up to the tastes and prejudices of the 21st century listeners. So if you're shallow enough to be looking only for that, go someplace else. BUT...if you're looking for a treasure from the last century and are willing to put up with a little diminished sound quality, then by any means you won't be sorry. I would also recommend all of the other reference recordings e.g. Argerich (absolutely effortless and spontaneous, a personal favorite), Cziffra, Pollini, Bolet, etc., for different and even more involved takes on the sonata. Is this THE greatest recording of the Liszt Sonata? WHAT A STUPID QUESTION!!! This is Art, not a sporting event where bets are taken. All of the reference recordings are wonderful in their own way, and I encourage all readers of this review to listen to several and pick YOUR favorite... which is a perfectly valid way of liking anything, even if you are new to the game. Like Julia Child said, "Keep you knives sharp and have a good time!" That goes for music, too."