Liszt: Piano Sonata in B Minor; Ballade No. 2; Consolation No. 3; Funerailles; Mephisto Waltz No. 1: Vladimir Horowitz: Amazon.ca: Music

1. Sonata, In B Minor

2. Ballade No. 2, In B Minor

3. Consolation No. 3

4. Funerailles

5. Mephisto Waltz No. 1

Product Description

From Amazon.com

It's a pity that RCA didn't wait until 1978 to record Vladimir Horowitz' shattering Liszt Sonata, rather than issuing this live performance from 1976. Horowitz had just reacquired the work, and its demanding figurations clearly had not settled in all in way. Still, Liszt and Horowitz' heroic voices ring true. The pianist packs everything but the kitchen sink into Mephisto Waltz, adding Busoni's embellishments and a coda of his own devising. By contrast, the gentle Consolation soars with simplicity. For prime Horowitz, turn to his classic 1950 Funérailles, where his big vision and demonic flair prevent the music from becoming a mere octave etude. --Dan Davis

Tag this product

(What's this?)

Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.

Customer Reviews

5 Reviews

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

Average Customer Review

3.8 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most helpful customer reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars This is very awful!!!, April 30 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Liszt: Piano Sonata in B Minor; Ballade No. 2; Consolation No. 3; Funerailles; Mephisto Waltz No. 1 (Audio CD)

I don't think I have ever heard such bad playing... Everything is just terrible - I can't understand why this cd has ever been released..

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse

5.0 out of 5 stars Only one Horowitz, Mar 15 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Liszt: Piano Sonata in B Minor; Ballade No. 2; Consolation No. 3; Funerailles; Mephisto Waltz No. 1 (Audio CD)

A feast for the ears. Great selection of Liszt's music. Horowitz plays the heck out of these pieces---okay, I'll say it---in a manner in which ol' Franz himself would approve. If you're a Liszt and a Horowitz glutton, like I am, I'd run to the store to get this one. And, oh yes: turn up the volume.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse

5.0 out of 5 stars Lightyears away in pianism, July 30 2002

By

alan (Atlanta, Georgia United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Liszt: Piano Sonata in B Minor; Ballade No. 2; Consolation No. 3; Funerailles; Mephisto Waltz No. 1 (Audio CD)

Reading these other reviews makes me ill! I have listened to 8 different versions of Liszt's piano sonata in b minor and not one of them, not Martha Agreich, not rubenstein, not brendel, no one can come within a mile of this recording. This is the greatest recording of the Liszt sonata. I hear no staggering rhythms but certain things he does for effect. It is the most powerful and haunting recording I have ever heard! Around the 20 minute mark he reaches an extreme musicality that no one else can come even close to reaching. The final coda is also breath taking with its alarming and ear wrenching volume and overwhelming pianism. But Horowitz was just as great a light pp performer that he was a loud ffff performer. The third movement is enoough to make me cry openly, and when he reaches that beautiful climax it makes my heart jump into my throat. The cheif editor of this CD, well your an idiot and should be fired for your misleading comments. I have been studying music for many years now and have never come across a greater performer than Horowitz. It only confirms my convictions that he is the greatest who has ever lived. I am obviously very smitten with the man but that does not blind me of his weaknesses, the weaknesses that are few in number and that every other pianist has. The modern pianist today make me sick to the core with their "stylish" playing. What the hell does "stylish" mean? Your playing a beautiful instrument and above all music. Unlike Horowitz many performers get in the way of the music rather than let the music control them. And this is what Horowitz does best. The Ballade and Mephisto waltz are mind blowing too with a great Mephisto waltz ending and great sections to be heard in the Ballade. The Funerallias is very old but brilliance sure can be heard! If only people would study the sheet music before they criticised this brilliant artist maybe he'd grow greater acclaim than the timid Rubinstein. Oh and give the guy a break he was in his seventies when he recorded these, not bad for an old man as he puts it. Coming from an expert on pianism, BUY THIS CD! OR ANY HOROWITZ CD!

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 5 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Want to see more reviews on this item?

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 8 reviews 3.9 out of 5 stars

Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Agony & Ecstasy
This is a very mixed bag. Only the "Funérailles" (1950) shows Horowitz in his prime; the rest of the selections date from 1977-81, a period when his technical... Read more

Published on Nov 14 2001 by Robert J. Sullivan Jr.

4.0 out of 5 stars This Horowitz CD presents two important recordings.
For the Horowitz lover or the Liszt devotee, this CD presents two important recordings. First, from Horowitz's late period, is the Ballade No.2 (1981). Read more

Published on Jan 1 1999 by KNCE@aol.com Kevin Wilson