Customer Reviews

Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsodies, Vol.13

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Volume 13 of Naxos' Complete Piano Music of Liszt is really a supplement to the previous Vol. 12 which featured the Hungarian Rhapsodies No. 1-9. Jeno Jando has frequently contributed to the Naxos label and was the first pianist showcased in the Liszt series. I was amazed by Jando's performance and stellar pianism in the previous volume, and the present one is equally special. The Lisztians who favor their Cziffra recordings will probably not be interested in this release; those new to Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsodies, however, will find the two volumes by Jando an invaluable introduction. But I must give Jando more credit. No matter how familiar I was with Cziffra or Howard, I find Jando's interpretations excellent and often transfixing.

Liszt began work on these Hungarian Gypsy-inspired Rhapsodies as far back as 1840, but each one is a unique gem unto itself. Although each contains transcriptions of Gypsy band music and Hungarian folk songs, the range of expression and music content is wholly original. Liszt also achieves phenomenal sound effects and conveys mind-blowing pianistic feats in the friskas or fast sections. Jando already proved himself capable of handling any technical difficulties with ease in the last volume. His flawless technique also enabled him to focus on musicality, which he continues to do in this volume. But the potential buyer should be aware that Jando can be faintly heard sometimes, either grunting or humming. This is hardly noticeable and I only mention it because some people are irked by this kind of thing. I've definitely heard worse, though (Gould).

This volume begins with the Tenth Rhapsody: a delightful romp featuring spectacular glissandi that Jando actually varies dynamically and with masterful control. In the Eleventh Rhapsody, Jando commands attention with his dramatic reading and attains beautiful lyricism all throughout. Jando's delivery of the Twelfth Rhapsody was not to my liking but only because of the hurried tempo. No matter how many times I've heard the Fourteenth Rhapsody, Jando's performance left me stupefied from his effortless virtuosity. With the 'Rakoczy March' or Fifteenth Rhapsody, Jando meets the standard set by many extraordinary pianists. The whole performance is staggering and Jando plays like a madman. With the quasi-miniature Seventeenth and Eighteenth Rhapsodies, Jando demonstrates remarkable lyricism that I think other pianists attempting these works lack. Liszt's Nineteenth Rhapsody is certainly a masterpiece and Jando accomplishes all technical feats while conjuring plenty of drama.

Bottom line: This is Liszt at his wonderfully extrovert best. The music covers all emotional facets and is among Liszt's greatest achievements for piano. Jeno Jando is more than just a competent pianist; he plays with lyricism and gusto. Perhaps Cziffra is indomitable, but Jando outclasses many other pianists who tried their hands at these barnstormers. The Naxos price makes this recording recommendable to anyone.

I have bought several of these recordings from the series and like them. Sound is good and the playing is wonderful. Older recordings but no technical difficulties as to sound and such. I have several Liszt recordings by other artists which, being modern recordings, are very rich in sound. Nevertheless, these recordings hold up. They sound, while listening to them, as though they were being played on a piano in one's room..a very intimate recording style which is appealing -especially to me as I grew up in an Hungarian household with a piano and heard Liszt being played live by friends and relatives . Nostalgic and beautiful and at a great bargain price. A music lover.