Années de pèlerinage

[Mandryka]

Oh and while I’m hear let me ask a question. What is the best transfer of Kempff’s Années?

[smittims]

I wonder if the full truth will ever be known about 'Barry's' exploits. I recently discoveredc that he used to run Saga's classical wing and was up to his tricks there too.

[Mandryka]

Yes Barrington Coupe released the Cortot Chopin mazurkas, which may not be by Cortot, and some stuff falsely attributed to Sergio Fiorentino.

[HighlandDougie]

Oh and while I’m hear let me ask a question. What is the best transfer of Kempff’s Années?

This:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Liszt-Années-pèlerinage-Italie-Légendes/dp/B00TP96T0C/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RXJYXAAOMR8P&keywords=Wilhelm+Kempff+Liszt+pentatone&qid=1664096086&s=music&sprefix=wilhelm+kempff+liszt+pentatone%2Cclassical%2C75&sr=1-1

lacks the three from the first set which he also seems to have recorded but, given the care which Pentatone usually gives to its reissues/remasters, it ought to be good. There is also an Australian Eloquence 2-disc Liszt issue which includes some of them (including 'Au Bord d'une Source' etc). As well as the many fine versions listed already (I have the Lazar Berman in a fine-sounding Universal Japan remaster), there is also Bertrand Chamayou.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

There have been two BaLs covering the first two volumes:

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthread.php?1422-BaL-5-03-11-Liszt-Années-de-Pelerinage-Book-1-quot-Suisse-quot&highlight=Années+pèlerinage

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthread.php?1049-BaL-29-01-11-Liszt-Anneés-de-Pélerinage-Deuxième-Anneé-Italie&highlight=Années+pèlerinage

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I have fond(?) memories of Book 1, having included Chapelle de Guillaume Tell, Au lac de Wallenstadt, & Les cloches de Genève in my degree finals recital in 1972. The 45 minute recital included a Handel Suite, Mozart's C minor Fantasia, three Martinu pieces with the Liszt group at the end. There was just on problem: I was struggling with parts of Les cloches... But it was there on my programme, so there was no getting away from it, and with William Mathias and George Guest sitting there assessing me, and my piano teacher, Frank Thomas creeping in during the Mozart Fantasia, I wasn't feeling too comfortable as Au lac de Wallenstadt came to a close. The William Mathias, put his hands on the table, looked around at the the other examiners and George Guest nodded and said I could finish there. What a relief that was! I think WM had been told I was a bit ropy on that piece, and was doing me a favour. I've learnt to play it since then, but the anguish of that occasion is with me for life.

[richardfinegold]

Années de pèlerinage seems to me to represent the very core of Liszt's piano output; as I once remarked to Liszt specialist Leslie Howard, "this is Liszt for those who believe that they don't care for Liszt"...

I guess that would describe me. I have the Claudio Arrau recording but am not inclined to further investigate

[silvestrione]

I fell in love with these pieces with the Brendel Philips recording of Bk 2, which I still think of as one of my favourite Liszt discs, though I also value Berman and Chamayou (and also look forward to a complete version from Benjamin Grosvenor!).

[silvestrione]

Arrau is very selective of course, but magnificent!

[Mandryka]

This:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Liszt-Années-pèlerinage-Italie-Légendes/dp/B00TP96T0C/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RXJYXAAOMR8P&keywords=Wilhelm+Kempff+Liszt+pentatone&qid=1664096086&s=music&sprefix=wilhelm+kempff+liszt+pentatone%2Cclassical%2C75&sr=1-1

lacks the three from the first set which he also seems to have recorded but, given the care which Pentatone usually gives to its reissues/remasters, it ought to be good. There is also an Australian Eloquence 2-disc Liszt issue which includes some of them (including 'Au Bord d'une Source' etc). As well as the many fine versions listed already (I have the Lazar Berman in a fine-sounding Universal Japan remaster), there is also Bertrand Chamayou.

This Pentatone release is just amazingly good! Thank you.

EDIT -- I take it back. I want the 1950s recordings. I was sitting there thinking "These sound good, why don't they have the magic, is it me? Then I realised . . . .

(Never liked 1970s Kempff much!)

[Mandryka]

Here’s Nyiregyhazi at Villa D’Este. Best have a glass of whiskey first to calm the nerves.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u9oRFGcb2yY

[Joseph K]

Throughout today I have been listening to book 1 played by Daniel Grimwood. I'm less familiar with this one compared with books 2 or 3.

Currently no. 6 - Vallée d'Obermann. I think Liszt must have such a beautiful way with harmonies & chords, certainly in this piece, so much so as to disguise weaknesses in his melodies, if those are in fact present in this piece.

I think this set is very good.

[HighlandDougie]

This Pentatone release is just amazingly good! Thank you.

EDIT -- I take it back. I want the 1950s recordings. I was sitting there thinking "These sound good, why don't they have the magic, is it me? Then I realised . . . .

(Never liked 1970s Kempff much!)

Well, I tried. If you have been streaming, try this - or the Qobuz UK version thereof;

https://www.qobuz.com/fr-fr/album/kempff-plays-liszt-wilhelm-kempff/0002894786979

It seems slightly elusive as physical CDs.

[Maclintick]

I fell in love with these pieces with the Brendel Philips recording of Bk 2, which I still think of as one of my favourite Liszt discs

Likewise, but for me the 1972 LP of Book 2 had a warmth which wasn't quite captured on the 1987 digital remake, fine though that was. Of course, that Philips 2-cd set of all 3 Années is well worth acquiring -- Brendel for years I-II, Kocsis for III.

[silvestrione]

Well, I tried. If you have been streaming, try this - or the Qobuz UK version thereof;

https://www.qobuz.com/fr-fr/album/kempff-plays-liszt-wilhelm-kempff/0002894786979

It seems slightly elusive as physical CDs.

Available in the 13 CD Kempff Decca Eloquence box!