Customer Reviews

Georges Cziffra Plays Chopin, Liszt & Franck (EMI Classic Archive)

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GEORGES (Gyorgy) CZIFFRA is remembered as the flame-throwing,tightrope-walking virtuoso par excellence. But there was another side to Cziffra's volatile temperament witnessed here in this 1965 INA archive film of a 'live'performance of Franck's Symphonic Variations. An affectionate smile from a 22 year old Gyorgy Cziffra Jr.to his father, seated at a Pleyel grand piano, heralds a beautifully reflective and poetic account of Franck's tenderly questioning score. Seeming at times to be deeply communing with himself, Cziffra, in the penultimate variation and with eyes closed, ruminates, as if in a dreamlike trance, pianissimo piano figuration against the cello theme, casting a magic spell over his adoring audience. In contrast, riveting archive film from a recital Cziffra gave in the Theatre des Champs-Elysees in 1961 demonstrates Cziffra at the height of his tremendous powers. Delivering the A flat Polonaise Op.53 of Chopin with virile masculine strength and exuberance its rapid left-hand octaves are enveloped in what can only be described as a white-heat haze of vibrating reflexes. The semiquaver roulades that lead back to the main theme are genuinely improvisatory and it is this quality that impresses in the studio film (Bernard Gavoty's Les Grands Interpretes of 1963) of Cziffra's lyrically rippling playing of Chopin's B flat minor Scherzo and Impromptu in G flat. In Liszt's Sixth Hungarian Rhapsody from the 1961 recital, Cziffra abandons himself totally to his inner fire and recreative forces. He adds improvisatory cimbalom effects to the cadenza passages and tears up the keyboard for the final octave onslaught. In the 'Appassionta' Etude in F minor, Cziffra takes a slower tempo than usual, but plays with such yearning, soaring passion, its coda so frenetic that one expects pianist and piano to spontaneously combust. Needless to say, the audience roars its approval while Cziffra admits exhaustion. Cziffra's studio account of Liszt's Valse Impromptu is full of old fashioned caprice and charm the added final glissando style arpeggios a delight while his astounding playing of Gnomenreigen and Grand Galop Chromatique demonstrates that Cziffra remains a 20th century keyboard phenomenon.
The substantial bonus here is Moiseiwitsch's magnificent 1954 BBC studio account of Liszt's impossible transcription of Wagner's Tannhauser Overture. He plays with his usual full-toned grandeur, and if the final torrent of double octaves that envelop the 'pilgrims theme' aren't the equal of Jorge Bolet's 1974 Carnegie Hall or Cziffra's EMI account, the effect is still breathtaking. Presentation, booklet notes and rare photographs of the artists are superb. This DVD has been awarded the Prix de l'Academie Charles Cros. Encore!

People used to associate Cziffra with a virtuoso instead of a poet. This DVD proves otherwise: he is quite a poet. And this is not just evident from his superb Chopin pieces, it is also evident from his Franck and his Lizst. And partly because of his interpretation , his sense of drama is never too strong and his touch is generally light: Even his choice of piano (Pleyel and Gaveau etc) suggests that he is a pianist more poised to delight than to impress. Nevertheless, his playing is quite modern, and he is quite a structuralist.

The sound here is acceptable and the films are not too grainy. There is a lot of depictions of his hands from a perfect point of view. But the camera doesn't particularly cover his hands when we come to the more difficult passages. Moreover, the speed of some of the films is not fast enough to give us a clear view of his hands in action in the fast passages. And yet, his hands and fingers moves even faster than Kissin. Even though that is done without compromising any music at all, but that is done at the expense of blurring the images of his hands for a whole passage a number of times! Fortunately, that consists of only a small proportion of the films only.

This DVD is rather short with a running time of only 78 minutes and we have Moiseiwitsch playing Tannhauser as a bonus. Perfect phrasings and articulations with a beautiful tone: with a tiny bit of Hofmann's spontaneity or else Friedmann's originality, EMI would sure issue a solo album for this great artist of the Golden Period of Pianists.

Flawless Playing. Technically unbelievable musician. Video and audio quality is older and therefore not 100%, but still good. Some concert footage and some in-house (literally). Probably the most difficult piano pieces I've ever seen. Must See!

In This DVD You can listen to Cziffra in his top form.
He is playing the piano like few pianist can, the best part is the Rhapsody no.6 of Liszt ,which in this part , you see Cziffra "flynig over " the piano and makes a perfect sound that the person who will hear it want to cry from the perfection.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching Georges Cziffra play. He demonstrates incredible power and a technique which is quite awesome. His octave playing and chord playing in parts is quite unorthodox with very high held wrists. The quality of the DVD is somewhat lacking, but nevertheless to see him playing is well worth the cost of the DVD.

Paul Copeland

Recomiendo ampliamente este titulo, es un dvd que no debe de faltar en la coleccion de cualquier melomano en especial si se trata de un admirador de los grandes pianistas del siglo XX. tiene un gran valor agregado al contener diversas grabaciones historicas de Cziffra. Lo unico ue se podria pedir seria que uviera un mejor manejo de camaras para apreciar de mejor manera la técnica del pianista, sin embargo es loable el esfuerzo hecho en aquella epoca para capturar el sentido mismo que Cziffra imprime en la interpretacón.

I've listened to many recordings of pianists during the past 40 years, put never heard of Cziffra or Moiseiwitsch until I saw this DVD. It contains unbelievable performances! The DVD liner notes state that Cziffra was born in 1921, was captured as a POW in 1941, and did not resume his studies until 1946. Other sources add that from 1950 to 1953, he was a political prisoner doing hard labor, escaping Hungary in 1956. This DVD shows recordings made in 1961, 1963, & 1965, all in Paris. The other reviewers of this DVD have given it great reviews, and I agree with them. I would add a few things. The 1961 video seems to have been over-processed with scratch removal software, causing strange artifacts. At times, Cziffra's hands disappear (it's not blurring from speed) and his face and head get distorted when he moves quickly. There are also ghost trails from his hands and head. Some of these problems can be caused by software "enhancement" during restoration, and are demonstrated on the 2002 Kino DVD of the restored film Metropolis. The sound track for Moiseiwitsch's 1954 video has noticeable background hiss, and the video seems to be of a lower resolution. But I would highly recommend this DVD, regardless. The flexibility that Cziffra provides in the Liszt pieces makes them captivating, well beyond the stunning virtuosity. No microphones can be seen in any of the videos. With the orchestra, the sound is very clear and balanced. Close-ups and wide-angle shots are used to advantage. In the 1963 & 1965 videos, Cziffra's right wrist bares a wide, leather wristband, apparently in recognition of his prison years. A highly recommended DVD!

It became a commonplace for many music critics to dismiss Georges Cziffra as a brainless noisemaker. Many of his recordings are controversial, claimed by some to be showy and unmusical. I personally believe it to be professional jealousy. In any case there is generally little doubt that Cziffra had a remarkable virtuoso technique. After watching this DVD, I wonder if his critics have ever listened to him. His Liszt is full of life and it fits completely to the music. His Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6 is absolutely astonishing, yet the central section is very sensitively played. In the more virtuoso pieces, Cziffra really puts the music on fire in the concert study Gnomenreigen seems to be under the effect of steroids! But it is in Chopin that Cziffra shows his music critics have been unfair. The Scherzo and the Improptu are very honestly played, with much spontaneity and no distortion. Even the A flat Polonaise is very controlled yet brilliant. Of course there are better Chopin players, but the items included here sound very pleasant. Georges Cziffra didn't make many recordings due to the death of his son who was also a pianist and a conductor who died in a fire, supposedly a suicide. Georges Cziffra never made another recording after that. As a bonus, EMI includes Benno Moiseiwitsch performing Wagner's Tannhauser Overture in Liszt's transcription. These 15 minutes are worth alone the price of this DVD. The Russian master throws the million note score with elegance and mastery, projecting the themes from the octaves and arpeggios with the most beaultiful singing tone. I own many of the EMI Classic Archive DVD's and this is by far the best DVD I've seen from the Classic Archive Series and no piano lover should miss it.

Hello,

Cziffra is at the top of his mastery and art. I had heard Cziffra perform many, many times, but I had never actually seen him. Interesting how he sweats profusely when he plays (because of the absolute concentration required to perform such difficult compositions; I sweat a lot too when I play). Cziffra is one of the best interprets of Chopin and Liszt bar none. He really feels the music and knows when to place the dynamics. I especially love his renditions of Chopin's Waltzes.

Moiseiwitsch's performance is simply extraordinary. What makes Moiseiwitsch better than the other pianists on this overture? His rhythm. He plays precisely in measure with superb prose and confidence. His accuracy and assuredness mark him as one of the all-time great pianists ever. The Force is with him, and this is way before Lucas coined that term. I would give an arm and a leg to have been the cameraman recording Moiseiwitsch; this would have been one "job" I would never--ever--have forgotten.

I have just listened again in my car to Maestro Moiseiwitsch's interpretation of the overture. It is as wonderful as when I first heard it. I especially love how he is able to make his left hand "roar" like a lion during the crescendos/decrescendos before reaching the main theme. His poise and technique are unmatched; as a self-taught amateur concert pianist, I am soooo jealous.

Benno, I love you!

Best,
Charles D.

Gyorgy Cziffra is nothing short of an absolute phenomenon. What is also stunning (besides his incredible speed), is how it seems to be so easy for him. He doesn't flail this way or that, he extremely quickly covers the keyboard without drama. He presents a pleasant demeanor, seems to reminisce, and enjoys himself. I say to each his own for all concert pianist's styles; I just can't get over how effortlessly Cziffra tackles flying over the keys.
I see the price has been lowered to around 15 USD; this DVD is easily worth twice that much. The lightening fast action of his hands are blurry at times with the dated recordings; which surprisingly did not bother me. And as another reviewer said, the bonus of Moiseiwitsch presenting Liszt's transcription is alone worth the price.
I am also extremely impressed with Georges' accuracy; it's quite shocking. Example: I personally didn't hear one mistake in Chopin's 2nd Scherzo..
This DVD is monumentally exceptional.
An absolute must-have for every piano DVD collection.