Liszt: Mephisto Polka, S217

Cyprien Katsaris is without doubt one of the most remarkable pianists of the 20th Century. His limitless technique enables him to set free his fascinating flight of invention and imagination, spreading dazzling colours and magical sound effects.

One of the highlights of his extended discography is his supernatural performance of Liszt’s transcriptions of Beethoven Symphonies (numbers 4 and 5 included in this set). His close affinity for Liszt’s music is shown in the devilish rendering of his 4 'Mephisto Waltzes', and the transcendental interpretation of the 'Benediction de Dieu dans la Solitude'.

Earl Wild’s death in 2010 was a farewell to one of the greatest pianists from the Golden Age of the Piano. His career spanned the biggest part of the 20th Century (more than 80 years), and he played with such legendary conductors as Toscanini, Reiner, Horenstein, Mitropoulos, Klemperer, Ormandy, Dorati and Solti. A dazzling virtuoso, he made the music of Liszt a central point in his repertoire. His performances of Gnomenreigen, La Leggierezza or the Mephisto Waltz were legendary. This 2-CD set offers some of the finest Liszt playing on disc. CD 1 was issued on Vanguard Classics as “The Demonic Liszt” and shows the devilish side of Liszt, the multifaceted genius. The second CD contains live recordings from different periods, red-hot performances of great brilliance and passion.

A must have collection of Liszt’s works for piano performed by some of the greatest interpreters of his music. With a premiere division line up of pianists this 10 CD set offers the listener two performances of the B minor sonata by Gilels (captured in 1949) and Richter, the late Lazar Berman plays the Dante Sonata, the Transcendental Etudes, the Years of Pilgrimage Book 1and the Mephisto Waltz No.1.

Recently retired Alfred Brendel is heard in the Three Sonnets after Petrach, the Paganini Etudes and a selection of opera paraphrases. The great Earl Wild puts his stamp on the Mephisto waltz No.1, and the Reminiscences from Robert leDiable, and Don Juan.The legendary Cziffra contributes more operatic paraphrases, this time Tannhauser and Rigoletto, plus Gnomenreigen and the Hungarian Rhapsody No.19.

Expect the unexpected with Cziffra in this music – his performances were always at a white heat, and not for those of a delicate disposition! Listeners will have the opportunity to compare. Vladimir Ovchinikov’s recording of the Transcendental Etudes with Berman’s. Berman’s recordings today are hard to come by and this is a welcome reissue of this remarkable and elusive artist. The younger generation is represented by the outstanding Artur Pizarro performing the Hungarian Rhapsodies.

Further information

The Brendel recordings are from his highly acclaimed Vox recordings from the late 1950s which critics have preferred to his later Philips recordings. ‘Brendel was from square one a devout Lisztian and a true believer, his adroit pacing, his unfailingly architectronic timing of detail and dramatic events gives him a Toscanini-like impact’ Harris Goldsmith, on Brendel’s Weber/Liszt transcription of the Overture to Oberon. Wild finds exactly the right balance between devil-may-care energy and accurate virtuosity. Here on can sample Wild at something like his zenith as a Liszt player. Virtuosic, bordering on incendiary, but stand well back.’ Gramophone

Ovchinikov’s Transcendental Etudes: ‘Extremely fine pianism… a superb achievement outclassing Bolet and Arrau in just about every department. Ovchinikov has set the standard and set it high.’ Gramophone

Comprehensive booklet essay