Balakirev, Lyapunov & Liszt: Piano Works / Kentner

$16.99
Label
APR
Release Date
October 28, 2016
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      BALAKIREV LISZT LYAPUNOV
    • PERFORMER
      Louis Kentner
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      October 28, 2016
    • UPC
      5024709160204
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      APR6020
    • LABEL
      APR
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      2
    • GENRE
      Chamber Music & Recitals
    Works ⌄

    1. I. Andantino

      Composer: Mily Alexeyevich Balakirev

      Performer: Louis Kentner

    2. II. Mazurka: Moderato

      Composer: Mily Alexeyevich Balakirev

      Performer: Louis Kentner

    3. III. Intermezzo: Larghetto

      Composer: Mily Alexeyevich Balakirev

      Performer: Louis Kentner

    4. IV. Allegro non troppo, ma con fuoco

      Composer: Mily Alexeyevich Balakirev

      Performer: Louis Kentner

    5. Rêverie in F Major

      Composer: Mily Alexeyevich Balakirev

      Performer: Louis Kentner

    6. Mazurka No. 6 in A-Flat Major

      Composer: Mily Alexeyevich Balakirev

      Performer: Louis Kentner

    7. Islamey

      Composer: Mily Alexeyevich Balakirev

      Performer: Louis Kentner

    8. Piano Sonata in B Minor, S178/R21

      Composer: Franz Liszt

      Performer: Louis Kentner

    9. No. 1. Lullaby (first recording)

      Composer: Sergei Mikhailovich Lyapunov

      Performer: Louis Kentner

    10. No. 1. Lullaby

      Composer: Sergei Mikhailovich Lyapunov

      Performer: Louis Kentner

    11. No. 2. Dance of the Ghosts

      Composer: Sergei Mikhailovich Lyapunov

      Performer: Louis Kentner

    12. No. 3. Pealing of Bells

      Composer: Sergei Mikhailovich Lyapunov

      Performer: Louis Kentner

    13. No. 4. Terek

      Composer: Sergei Mikhailovich Lyapunov

      Performer: Louis Kentner

    14. No. 5. Summer Night

      Composer: Sergei Mikhailovich Lyapunov

      Performer: Louis Kentner

    15. No. 6. Storm

      Composer: Sergei Mikhailovich Lyapunov

      Performer: Louis Kentner

    16. No. 7. Idyll

      Composer: Sergei Mikhailovich Lyapunov

      Performer: Louis Kentner

    17. No. 8. Epic Song

      Composer: Sergei Mikhailovich Lyapunov

      Performer: Louis Kentner

    18. No. 9. Aeolian Harps

      Composer: Sergei Mikhailovich Lyapunov

      Performer: Louis Kentner

    19. No. 10. Lesghinka

      Composer: Sergei Mikhailovich Lyapunov

      Performer: Louis Kentner

    20. No. 11. Dance of the Elves

      Composer: Sergei Mikhailovich Lyapunov

      Performer: Louis Kentner

    21. No. 12. Elegy in Memory of Franz Liszt

      Composer: Sergei Mikhailovich Lyapunov

      Performer: Louis Kentner


Though born in what was then the Austro-Hungarian Empire and having studied and launched his career in Budapest, Louis Kentner decided to relocate to London in the 1930’s and for the next 50 years remained a part of the British musical establishment. He was a mainstay of the Columbia catalogue throughout the 1930’s and 40s where he recorded a wide range of repertoire including the ‘Hammerklavier’ sonata and many premiere recordings of major Liszt works. APR has already devoted two CDs to the latter (APR5514 & APR5614). In the 1950s he went on to record for HMV, both as soloist and as duo partner to Menuhin, whose brother-in-law he had become through marriage.

Almost all the recordings on this set date from the end of the 78rpm era and have been unjustly neglected as a result. Two major works of the late romantic Russian repertoire, the Balakirev Sonata and the Lyapunov Transcendental Studies, here received their premier recordings, and to many listeners, they have yet to be surpassed. Kentner had an invincible Lisztian technique; there was no one better to tackle Lyapunov’s homage to Liszt’s own ‘Transcendentals’. He was also able to take complete command of that other virtuoso warhorse – Islamey.

Of particular interest is Kentner’s only recording of the Liszt sonata, and a magnificent one it turns out to be. Issued on 78s in 1951 when most other labels had switched to LP, this recording had a very short life and has never previously been reissued. It is a major addition to the available discography of Liszt sonatas and to Kentner’s legacy.