No prizes for guessing whose bicentenary it is today. You should know by now, because this year has been all about LISZT FERENC in all his very many colours. And really, there's only one way to celebrate...
Please sit back, turn up the sound and welcome some of the greatest Lisztians of all time to play some of my personal favourites... I hope you enjoy this selection as much as I've enjoyed choosing it. It's the tip of a very, very hefty iceberg, needless to say. Responses and further links welcome.
GYÖRGY CZIFFRA: TRANSCENDENTAL ETUDE NO.11, 'HARMONIES DU SOIR'
LOUIS KENTNER: LA LEGGIEREZZA (footage from his last Liszt recital in London, 1985)
JOHN OGDON: DANTE SONATA (in two parts. Filmed 50 years ago...don't miss the introduction for a little insight into how TV presentation has changed over the intervening half century...)
DINU LIPATTI: SONETTO 104 DEL PETRARCA
GRIGORY GINZBURG: VALLEE D'OBERMANN (2 parts)
CLAUDIO ARRAU: FUNERAILLES (2 parts)
VLADIMIR HOROWITZ: HUNGARIAN RHAPSODY NO.6 (recorded 1947)
ERWIN NYIREGYHAZI: SONETTO 123 DEL PETRARCA