Search - Franz Liszt, Boris Berezovsky :: Franz Liszt: Etudes D'Exécution Transcendante

I Love Liszt Like Joanie Loves Chachi

My Uncle Stu | Boston | 10/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It took me awhile to come around on Liszt. I suffered from the bias of the classicists, dismissing Liszt's compositions as fluffy vehicles for prima donna virtuosos. Well, they certainly are that, but I've come to realize they are much more. The emotional intensity of the transcendental etudes is indescribable. It is indescribable for the same reason all great transcendent music is. Like Coltrane's a Love Supreme, Grant Green's Lazy afternoon, or an extended Jerry Garcia solo on one of those famous one in three nights. It bypasses the cortex and plugs directly into the limbic structures. It's like a smell associated with a happy memory, you can't avoid it, can't censor it. So give in to it.



Personal disclosure regarding my pedigree: Franz Liszt was my piano teacher's teacher's teacher's teacher. Also, my analyst's analyst's analyst's analyst was Sigmund Freud. My father's grandparent's were first cousins. And my first cousin wrote the pilot of "Joanie Loves Chachi."



But back to the Transcendental Etudes, they are good, go buy it. Now, I know, for you serious classical music snobs out there, the question is whether or not this is the best performance to buy. I'll be honest. I don't know. What should I do, quit my job, stay home and devote my time to being a piano scholar, listen to every single recording available and rank them? All I know is, it took me awhile to come around to appreciating this music, but now that I'm onboard I really dig it. I enjoyed this disc, and I recommend it."

Firebreathing

half | Diamond Bar, CA United States | 04/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Berezovsky seems to have kept a mysteriously low profile after winning his Tchaikovsky trophy. What a shame, he was stunning. In this CD, he gets a chance to show what he can really do when faced with pages of piano music with more notes than a mere mortal can count. When I contrast his treatment of these Etudes with that of Claudio Arrau's (and a very well-respected and enduring treatment that was), I can almost see the sparks flying off the keys, he plays with so much fire. The Mazzeppa and Feux Follets especially showcase his power in brilliant contrast to his incredibly fine control. Definitely a fun CD to have."

Berezovsky is an astonishing virtuoso!

My Uncle Stu | 05/13/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This young pianist has impressed me alot with his awesome rendition of Chopin's Etudes (my favorite set). Now after listening to this Liszt cd i can say that Berezovsky is surely one of the greatest pianist for these days. His performance of these beyond difficult masterpieces is just stunning! Boris Berezovsky would deserve much more popularity in the classical background i assure you that his technique and style are marvellous, so fluent and precise, rich in shades and colours. But what really amazes is his ability to let the listeners understand the music and this thank to his awesome lyricism."