Search - Liszt, Hough :: Mephisto Waltz 1

My Introduction to the Pianism of Stephen Hough

J Scott Morrison | Middlebury VT, USA | 11/28/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm shocked that this CD has no reviews. Perhaps that's because it was issued in 1988 and thus before Amazon came into being. And I notice that it is now only available from resellers. Still, I want to comment on what a wonderful recital this is. As I said in my title, this was the first disc of Hough's that I bought and it told me that without doubt this young man was someone not only to watch but to follow, because nothing he touches is superficial. My prediction in the late 1980s has come true; he has become one of the greatest pianists before the public today.



This recital combines both three of Liszt's flashy works (Mephisto Waltz No. 1; Tarantella (pendant to the second Année de Pèlerinage); and Rapsodie espagnole) with three of his most contemplative works (Pensées des morts; St François d'Assise: La prédication aux oiseaux; and Bénediction de Dieu dans la Solitude). He manages both kinds of Lisztian writing not only with ease, but with utter mastery.



This is some of the best Liszt playing I've ever heard. He has since recorded other Liszt (the Swiss Année; Une lecture aprés Dante; the Sonata; and others) and has proven himself since this CD was issued to be a magnificent Lisztian.



So, my advice would be to find a copy of this CD, probably at reduced price, and discover these treasures.



Scott Morrison"