Liszt for Lovers: Piano Dreams of Love and Passion

Franz Liszt (Composer), Claudio Arrau (Performer), Misha Dichter (Performer), Wibi Soerjadi (Performer), Zoltán Kocsis (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Claudio Arrau, Misha Dichter, Wibi Soerjadi, Zoltán Kocsis
• Composer: Franz Liszt
• Audio CD (June 10, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Philips
• ASIN: B0000041NL
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #89,459 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Music for a Romantic Evening, December 14, 2005

By 

Classicalfan "Classicalfan" (Reston, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Liszt for Lovers: Piano Dreams of Love and Passion (Audio CD)

The CD insert design of the Set Your Life to Music series might suggest that this is a collection "Classical Lite." However, while this compilation provides some Liszt's most well-known music, these beautiful and deep pieces should not be mistaken for "easy listening." These are wonderful compositions by a great composer, performed by musicians of the highest caliber (especially Claudio Arrau). This is music to close your eyes to while listening to and enjoying every note and every nuance of the performances.

Most of the selections are performed by Claudio Arrau, one of the greatest pianists of the twentieth century, an acknowledged master of the Liszt repertoire and, furthermore, a pupil of one of Liszt's pupils. Arrau plays these selections with power, passion, sensitivity, and highly nuanced delicacy, depending on what a given passage calls for, as he takes the listener through the rising and falling tides of passion in Liszt's music.

The "non-Arrau" selections recorded by Misha Dichter, Wibi Soerjadi, and Zoltan Kocsis are also excellent. All the recorded selections, whether digital or analog, have very clear sound quality. Highly recommended, whether as an introduction to Lizst or to add to several other CDs of music by this great Romantic composer.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars perfect dramatic piano, May 28, 2004

By 

cooperwitz (DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Liszt for Lovers: Piano Dreams of Love and Passion (Audio CD)

Both Liszt and Arrau are at their apogee in this CD. This is one the few piano cd's I've heard where Liszt's passionate genius is both appropriately frighteningly strong and beautifully tender (as many of his contemporaries noted 150 years ago). Arrau, always thoughtful, and with his emphasis on touch and color, and delicacy, penetrates to the heart of these sometimes breathtakingly orchestral piano sounds. This is lush arch-romantic piano with a huge nuanced sound, and a constant emotional ebb and flow (and sound volume) as powerful than any other composer of that tempestuous era I have heard. The cd is very clearly recorded with excellent dynamics. Every selection is strong and well chosen and the cd sets a very consistent brooding romantic mood. The best introduction to (and still my favorite) Liszt.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Arguably, one of the best classical pianists ever., August 11, 2001

By 

irmita "irmita" (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Liszt for Lovers: Piano Dreams of Love and Passion (Audio CD)

As soon as I heard the piano solo, Liebestraume, I immediately purchased this cd particularly because it contains some of the greatest piano pieces ever composed. During Liszt's lifetime, audiences were very appreciative of his talent and ability to express his emotions through the use of his piano. Influenced by Chopin, Franz Liszt ultimately achieved high status as a composer with the ability to play spectacular classical music. Some of the songs included possess titles about nature, and in one of the songs, the piano is played so brilliantly that it feels as if you're actually listening to fountains. Lovers of classical music should purchase this remarkable disc. And best of all, at a low price, this is a great bargain.