Listz: Sonata, Transcendental Studies, Annees De P

Lazar Berman, piano

Liszt Bicentenary Edition
CD 1
Sonata in B minor / Années de pelèrinage Book 1: Switzerland (selection)
CD 2
Dante Sonata (Après une lecture du Dante) / Mephisto Waltz No. 1 / Études d'exécution transcendante (selection)

Even Emil Gilels and Sviatoslav Richter were in awe of the young Lazar Berman, who astounded the world with performances of superhuman dimensions. However his talent was long kept a locked up secret in the former Soviet Union, before he was permitted to travel abroad. His appearances in the West were sensational, resulting in concerts with Von Karajan, and recordings for DG. The live recordings on this 2-CD set span from 1950 to 1972 and catch him at the peak of his powers, and these were gigantic. His performance of the Sonata, Dante Sonata and especially the selection from the Transcendental Etudes shows not only his phenomenal technique but also his great sensitivity, beauty of tone (even in the biggest fortes) and innate poetry. A tribute to an exceptional Liszt player.