Search - Vladimir Horowitz, Gyorgy Cziffra, Leopold Godowsky :: Ladislav Fanzowitz plays Horowitz, Godowsky, Balakirev & Liszt

Stupendous Recital

Alscribji | Washington, D.C. | 01/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The recital played by Ladislav Fanzowitz is by an amalgam of composers whose names are synonymous with pianism: Horowitz, Cziffra, Godowsky, Balakirev, and Liszt. Such a recital requires a technique of abominable proportions. To schedule such a recital for one CD seems remarkable, and it is:



Horowitz-Variations on Themes from "Carmen"

Transcription of "The Stars and Stripes Forever"

Wedding March and Variations after Mendelssohn



Cziffra-Transcription of "An der schonen blauen Donau"



Godowsky-Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes from "Der Fledermaus"



Balakirev-Islamey



Liszt-Sonata in Bm



Fanzowitz has the necessary technique to play these pieces with drive and power. The Horowitz pieces are very well performed, and although may lack just a bit of the speed of Volodos, nonetheless, Fanzowitz delivers these pieces with enough power and velocity to do them justice. Cziffra's Blue Danube transcription is performed effectively by Fanzowitz. Whereas the original Cziffra recording is incomparable, Fanzowitz plays it to the hilt, and the end has a flourish not in the Cziffra recording that brings it to another level. The Der Fledermaus is also good on this CD. Fazowitz's playing of it is even and well balanced, as is all of this playing on this CD. Islamey is a hair-raising "Oriental" racket-maker. Fanzowitz plays it quite unlike anybody else I have heard. It is solid, good tempo, volume, and control. To place the Liszt Sonata as the FINAL piece on such a CD as this seems a bit out of place. But it works. Liszt is the Father (Grandfather?) of modern-day pianism, and his Bm sonata is one of the greatest pieces ever composed for the piano. Hence, such seems fitting to conclude this CD. Obviously, the quality of the Bm sonata far outshines the other piano bons bons heard on this CD. Fanzowitz' performance of the sonata is "young" (he is only 20 or 21). He has the technique to play the music but the proportions of the piece as a whole need better shaping. The best example I can think of for this is the recording by Alicia De Larrocha-one of the best proportioned performances of the Bm sonata on record. Fanzowitz's recording of it, nevertheless, is a worthy addition to any collection. The recording production on this CD is also superior: clear, crisp, loud. Highly recommended.

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