Liszt: Études D’Exécution Transcendante

Liszt: Songs & Sonnets

Liszt: Pièces tardives

Liszt: Works for Piano

LISZT Mephisto Waltz No. 1. Liebestraum No. 3. Concert Etudes, S 145: Gnomenreigen. Concert Etudes, S 144: Il Lamento; Un Sospiro. Années de pèlerinage, Book II: Les Jeux d’eaux à la Villa D’Este. Rigoletto Paraphrase. Consolation No. 3. Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 • Warren Mailley-Smith (pn) • SLEEVELESS 1005 (72:55)


In a glowing review of Mailley-Smith’s recital of Chopin favorites ( Fanfare 37:1), Jerry Dubins praised the pianist for his “technical prowess” and “poetical sensibilities.” Much the same could be said about this collection of Liszt chestnuts. True, some of the more strenuous passages (especially in Gnomenreigen and the Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2) reveal a touch of stiffness, just as the inner lines of some of the thicker passages (say, in the Mephisto Waltz ) can turn slightly muddy. Then, too, there are moments when the sheer force of Mailley-Smith’s emotionalism seems ready to shatter the mood: many listeners, I suspect, will wish that he were less pushy in the climax of Liebestraum . Still, given their heart-on-the-sleeve interpretive premises, these are, for the most part, fresh and attractive readings, timbrally imaginative and rhythmically flexible. I especially enjoyed the sparkling colors of his high-octane Jeux d’eaux and the spontaneous phrasing of his Rigoletto Paraphrase , which—while not as well characterized as, say, Jerome Lowenthal’s recently rereleased reading (see 35:5)—manages to combine elegance and drama with aplomb. All in all, an up-and-coming pianist worth watching. Generally good sound, minimal notes devoted entirely to the performer.


FANFARE: Peter J. Rabinowitz

BERUHMTE ORGELWERKE

Liszt: Lieder

Liszt: Piano Music

Liszt: Harmonies poétiques et religieuses

Liszt: Piano Works

"The Years of Pilgrimage, Second Year: Italy, suite contains some of Liszt's most glorious piano music, including the three Petrarch sonnets and the immense “Dante” sonata. “Years of Pilgrimage by Liszt are a true challenge... requiring a master's skill and the ability to comprehend form...to create a climate of a very peculiar, at times mystic emotionality. Andrzej Pikul met that challenge with complete success (...) we witnessed the art of piano playing at its best. - „Dziennik Polski”"

Classical Music

Classical Music

Sergio Fiorentino has been one of the best pianists of the second half of the twentieth century. Nevertheless, he is not as known as many other colleagues of his, who were supported by important labels. For this reason he lacks a catalogue of official recordings, but this does not mean that he has no documentation of his art. The proof is this extensive release that contains a selection of Fiorentino’s version of some of the masterpieces of Franz Liszt’s repertoire, who was one of his most beloved composers.

Classical Music