Search - Carlo Grante :: Godowsky: Schubert Song Transcriptions

A wonderful disc.

offeck | New York, NY -- United States of America | 01/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Godowsky-Schubert song transcriptions aren't very similar to the Liszt, (this is a given), but it's unfair, I tell you, unfair that everyone is familiar with the Liszt(s), whereas only a small few even know the Godowsky(s) exist(s), especially since the Godowsky(s) are far superior! They're so moving, so spiritual, and every note is just so well placed. These transcriptions are even closer to getting at the true meaning of the text(s) than Schubert could achieve, and they're using Schubert's music! The version of the Passacaglia on this disc is my favorite. There are only five versions of it out there, of course I have them all, but this one, it's perfect, absolutely perfect. Carlo Grante is an angel, he has no equal, he's my favorite living pianist. He loses attention to sell-outs like Marc Andre Hamelin and Volodos, but I'm hoping this won't go on for too much longer. There is no going wrong with this disc (or anything by Carlo Grante, for that matter). It's a desert island selection."