Stunning
Sean Collins | Seattle, WA USA | 02/25/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Simply put, this is the finest recording of the b-minor sonata available, period. While I also have the recordings by Horowitz, Argerich, Richter, Pletnev, Yundi Li, Fleisher, Brendel, and others, none provide the synthesis of demonic technique and poetry achieved by Arrau. To cite but one example, the octave finale in the final movement is taken at a brisk tempo, but is almost as spiritual an experience as the Arietta from Beethoven's final piano sonata. This album is among the best Liszt recordings ever made and should be a part of any piano enthusiast's collection."
Exceptional Liszt Recordings from Arrau
John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 04/26/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For a long time Claudio Arrau has been among my favorite pianists; I've been impressed by his excellent blend of technical precision at the keyboard coupled with ample lyricism, and a keen willingness to play old, familiar works such as Beethoven's piano sonatas or Chopin's etudes and waltzes in startling, often breathtaking, unique interpretations. This splendidly remixed CD contains several of his finest recordings of Liszt's music, affirming his well-deserved recognition as among the finest interpreters of Liszt's music in the 20th Century. Here is Arrau at the height of his artistic powers, willing to transform a technically demanding work such as Liszt's Sonata in B minor into a thoughtful, elegant meditation on melody as well as keyboard pyrotechnics. The Benediction comes across as yet another elegant meditation, replete with subtle changes in phrasing and tempi. The others are elegantly played by Arrau too, showing a thoughtful, introspective side of his playing. Once more Philips has released one of its finest recording triumphs; I hope Arrau's other great recordings, such as his final Beethoven piano concerto cycle with Sir Colin Davis conducting the Dresden Staatskapelle (Only the 4th and 5th piano concerti have been released so far.), will be reissued as part of this series."
The Grand Lisztian Pianist Claudio Arrau's Best Work
Rudy Avila | Lennox, Ca United States | 09/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Where Liszt is concerned, Cladiu Arrau often got it right, as well as Chopin, who was influenced by Liszt. This music is brilliant technically and musically, while also being emotional and profound. The Sonata in B Minor is a transcendent piece of work for piano, and only the most virtuosic of pianists can pull it off. Liszt was a devil pianist, who wrote music that would seem to require more than ten fingers to play it. The more gentle, and spiritually-influenced Benediction De Deiu Dans La Solitude (God's Benediction In Loneliness) is even a reflection of the Liszt that would become a religious figure when he took the order of Abbe. This is one of the more superior recordings of this particular piece and Cladiu Arrau earned my respect and admiration upon hearing it."
