BaL 29.01.11 Liszt: Anneés de Pélerinage Deuxième Anneé: Italie

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

So the recommended version was Alan Marks.

[Richard Tarleton]

So the recommended version was Alan Marks.

A fascinating programme - I always feel agreeably stretched by DON's BALs. The discussion of the poetry, artworks, temperament etc. fascinating.

Er - what happened to Bolet? Is he NLA? I got to know these pieces through Bolet on Decca (tho' I now have Brendel as well), and always find him (I've got quite a bit of his Liszt) richly Romantically rewarding.

[BBMmk2]

So the recommended version was Alan Marks.

Ah right, can you tell me what bthe nlabel mwas? Havn't heard that pianist before(my ignorance perhaps!!)

[knodge41]

Well, Bolet does seem to be available:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Liszt-Ann%C3%A9es-P%C3%A8lerinage-Jorge-Bolet/dp/B0000C24I7/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1296299134&sr=8-12

It seems extraordinary that he was not mentioned, particularly as he usually comes out as the top recommendation!

[johnb]

I hadn't realised the Daniel Grimwood version was played on a Victorian vertical strung piano. It's always interesting o know what composers were up against, and it's good that such instruments can still be heard.

Did you mean to write "straight strung" rather than vertical strung?

It seems that this recording uses the same instrument so the cover photo might well be the same 1851 Erard that Grimwood played:

http://www.amazon.com/Chopin-Concerto-Fantasia-Grande-Polonaise/dp/B000007TJV/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

(I enjoyed its sound - a refreshing change from the ubiquitous modern Steinway.)

[ostuni]

Here's a short Youtube of Grimwood talking about the Erard piano, with excerpts from the Liszt sessions.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Did you mean to write "straight strung" rather than vertical strung?

Erm... yes. Oops

[kuligin]

A very good review I thought with well chosen excerpts of a decent length. What wonderful pieces these are, so looking forward to the Swiss Year, I really love Arrau in the Vallee d Obermann

Rather tempted to buy the Grimwood, a new name to me, to join Berman Brendel and Kempff!

[tony yyy]

Apart from the single disc, Bolet's Liszt still seems to be available in a highly-recommendable (imo) 9-disc set, albeit at more than twice the price I paid for it a couple of years ago. The notes claim that, amazingly, he learnt the Swiss book specially for the recording.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I'm really tempted to go for that Bolet set. £35.98 + p. & p. is the cheapest there and still a decent buy.

[ardcarp]

May I just add what an excellent presenter David Owen Norris is. His performing experience and his profound knowledge of the technical aspects of Liszt's musical language came over loud and clear...but with no pomposity or sense of 'lecturing'. He has what I would describe as a friendly manner, occasionally witty and always to the point. I personally had never heard of Alan Marks, but given DON's recommendation, I'm going to give him a whirl.

[BBMmk2]

Yes, ardcarp, DON one of the best reviewers of recent weeks! reminds me of the late great Edward Greenfield.

[DracoM]

Absolutely agree. DON's voice / manner both made for the intimacy of radio, real learning and detail and a refreshing way of combining considerable in-depth knowledge and accessible manner.

I knew nothing about Annees de Pelerinage whatsover, but this was both guided tour and evluation. Rare radio.

Many thanks.

[Panjandrum]

Yes, ardcarp, DON one of the best reviewers of recent weeks! reminds me of the late great Edward Greenfield.

Really? That's one I missed.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Really? That's one I missed.

I too was unaware that EG Was not longer with us. I presume he still is?