Search - Ferruccio Busoni, Felix [1] Mendelssohn, Franz Liszt :: Songs Without Words

A wonderful program of delightful and important music

Craig Matteson | Ann Arbor, MI | 06/16/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This disk is a bit of a rarity in modern recording. It isn't a disk of a single work or series of works. It isn't the WHOLE of the Mendelssohn "Songs Without Words". Instead it opens with four of the wonderful Busoni transcriptions of Bach organ preludes. Perahia played these four here in Ann Arbor along with the Bach "Goldberg Variations" and it was a GREAT night. His playing here is at its most poetic and is full of colors (don't mistake this for being colorful in the sense of being eccentric - think rather in terms of a rich palette of sounds).The middle section has 15 of the best of the Mendelssohn "Songs Without Words". I know that many think him not one of the great ones and that Mendelssohn's reputation has slipped in the past thirty years. But I think this is very wrong. I urge you to get to know his music and to try and hear it with fresh ears. These pieces are a very nice place to start. There is a great deal to love in these pieces and if you can play the piano dust off this music and play them. They are much fun and reward the effort.The disk ends with four Liszt transcriptions of Schubert Lieder. Well, I know and love these pieces and have peformed the "Staendchen" several times. It is WONDERFUL. These performances of these transcriptions show off the genius of three wonderful musicians - Schubert and Liszt and Perahia. "Auf dem Wasser zu singen" is one of my favorite songs. You might want to pick up the first volume of the Ian Bostridge recordings of the Schubert songs to here the originals of some of these and to read the words. Very moving and Liszt does a lot to tell their story with his transcriptions. It isn't just for show show, even if it does add to the original. But this was authentic nineteenth century performance practice.Perahia is never a showy pianist, but he always seems to have all the virtuosity he needs. He never seems to be walking a tightrope and teasing us that he might fall. Instead he overwhelms us with his poetic heart and lyrical playing. He has power, but like all great pianists he makes us feel he has more in reserve (he may not, but he never sounds like he is hitting the wall). And he doesn't ever make ugly sounds on the piano. I love his playing. I have been fortunate to hear him play live several times over the past couple of decades and it has always been a complete delight. Just like this wonderful disk."

Perahia plays Bach - no other recommendation needed

Concert Music | Alpharetta, GA USA | 11/15/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After the first 4 tracks, where Murray Perahia plays 4 Bach transcriptions of organ preludes to cantatas, the rest of the CD is just a bonus.Perahia plays Bach with as much feeling and love as anyone alive or dead, in my opinion. The first two pieces are played with quiet dignity. The third track shows Perahia's dexterity and finger speed - I'd like to hear that on the organ! Back to peace and tranquility on the fourth track - and I haven't gotten to Mendelssohn yet, since I keep 'rewinding' the CD!"

Without words, but with soul...

gpercia | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. | 05/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Excellent effort from one of today's greatest pianists. For me the true findings of this record are the Bach/Busoni transcriptions, elegant, beautiful and simple at the same time. They alone are worth the price, but the Mendelssohn pieces are extremelly well played also, and the Liszt pieces remind us once again of the supreme master of this art."