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Firma Melodiya presents a recording of Franz Liszts twelve Transcendental Études performed by Lazar Berman. Once, being on top of his pianistic career, Liszt called his etudes transcendental (supernatural) no one but him was able to play them. They seemed to be beyond the limits of human abilities. As time went by, pianistic technique took a great step forward, but only few pianists dared play the entire cycle of etudes during the subsequent 20th century. Lazar Berman, a greatest interpreter of Liszts music among Soviet pianists, was one of them. Born in Leningrad to a musical family, he drew attention as early as he was four years old. He graduated with honours from the Central Music School and Moscow Conservatory where he studied with Alexander Goldenweiser, won the piano competition at the Festival of Youth and Students in Berlin, and received prizes at the Queen Elisabeth Music Competition in Brussels and the Franz Liszt Piano Competition in Weimar. Overseas performances brought Berman sensational success. A real titan, keyboard wizard said some of the reviews by European and American critics when they wrote about the young pianists phenomenal technique and brilliant virtuosity. His numerous concerts in Moscow, Leningrad and other cities of the USSR were no less successful. Lazar Bermans performing art was imprinted on numerous recordings which havent faded for connoisseurs of pianistic culture. Review: as good to this audiophile's ears - I have been playing this recording on vinyl for years. This CD version is almost, but not quite, as good to this audiophile's ears. Lazar Berman's mastery of the Transcendental Etudes remains unmatched: fast, flawless, yet passionately romantic. Review: These are fantastic. The etudes are a perfect vehicle for Berman's ... - These are fantastic. The etudes are a perfect vehicle for Berman's dazzling virtuosity. This particular recording has amazing sonics. I have been disappointed by others featuring this artist and was pleased as soon as I put it in my player!
L**E
as good to this audiophile's ears
I have been playing this recording on vinyl for years. This CD version is almost, but not quite, as good to this audiophile's ears. Lazar Berman's mastery of the Transcendental Etudes remains unmatched: fast, flawless, yet passionately romantic.
M**)
These are fantastic. The etudes are a perfect vehicle for Berman's ...
These are fantastic. The etudes are a perfect vehicle for Berman's dazzling virtuosity. This particular recording has amazing sonics. I have been disappointed by others featuring this artist and was pleased as soon as I put it in my player!
K**E
Five Stars
This edition are recommend by the famous music critic David Dubal. .
A**3
Great performances, there are better
I still prefer Vladimir Ovchinikov for these, but these are great performances from a great pianist. Sound is a little tinny and dry, but serviceable.
C**.
Five Stars
Simply spectacular!
I**S
Standouts of this repertoire must be this Berman (1963), Chamayou (2005) & Berezovsky (2002)
Verified Purchase in the UK This is the 1963 studio recording made in Russia that subsequently achieved Berman’s remarkable reputation in the West and was avidly collected worldwide. Inevitably that included this reviewer too! Berman’s worldwide fame was thus well established long before he even left Russia on tour. There is also a later 1976 ‘live’ set available now but despite the obvious attractions, and following direct comparisons between the two, there can be no doubt for this reviewer that this original 1963 version is the one to have. It simply scores higher on the pure excitement generated. The sound is very presentable for 1963 and well capable of preserving and transmitting the ‘message.’ That message is that this should be in every collector’s library! There are other fine accounts of course. Recent ones include those by Ovchinnikov (1988 and receiver of the coveted Diapason recommendation), Trifonov (2015) and Chamayou (‘live’ recording in 2005). Of these the Chamayou rules supreme as a completely viable alternative to Berman with an alternative expressive agenda done without any compromise of thrill. For sheer physical visual thrill there is the ‘live’ set by Berezovsky recorded in 2002 at the Roque d’Antheron’s specially constructed outdoor studio to deliver optimum visual and sonic immersion. This is a very special performance, technically perfect, sonically superb and visually unforgettable as the sheer physical effort leads to showers and cascades of perspiration. Berezovsky is a man of large stature and the work load is immense but he really delivers musical thrill throughout! Very hard to locate the disc nowadays but well worth the effort! So, for those interested collectors, all the above versions offer tremendous rewards. The indispensable shortlisted standouts of this repertoire must be Berman (1963), Chamayou (2005) and Berezovsky (2002) and all delivered with 'live' frisson. Buy them all!
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