Liszt: Piano Sonata in B minor; Paganini Etudes; Hungarian Rhapsody No. 13; Transcendental Etude No. 10 [Original recording remastered]

Franz Liszt (Composer), André Watts (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: André Watts
• Composer: Franz Liszt
• Audio CD (August 14, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00005NEZU
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #46,567 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #34 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Etudes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A big technique, but Watts is a low-key Liszt interpreter, June 16, 2006

By 

Santa Fe Listener (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Liszt: Piano Sonata in B minor; Paganini Etudes; Hungarian Rhapsody No. 13; Transcendental Etude No. 10 (Audio CD)

Mr Wilkinson has gotten his wrist slapped for writing such a blunt review, but even for a listener who is sympathetic to Andre Watts, still the most famous Afro-American classical pianist in the world after forty years, it's discouraging that his impressive technique didn't lead to musical growth. Many of his best recordings date from the beginning of his career. This flashy Liszt recital includes all the notes, but as Wilkinson says, it's all a bit muddled and aimless musically.

He's also right to point out that Watts displays none of the flashing brilliance and fire of a Volodos or Kissin, and La Campanella is indeed tinkly in his hands. The great B minor Sonata is given a flabby run-through, as is everything else here. I am giving three stars in sympathy with Watts' intentions, too guilty to award what he really deserves.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Near Perfection, December 20, 2008

By 

Samuel T. Thornton - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Liszt: Piano Sonata in B minor; Paganini Etudes; Hungarian Rhapsody No. 13; Transcendental Etude No. 10 (Audio CD)

I was interested in this recording since it had some selections that I did not have in my collection, plus several with Mr. Watts performing ones I have by other artists. Some review comments, including the one very negative one, nearly scared me away. But I bought the album. I compared the selections that I have by others (Kissin, Cziffra, Horowitz) and in EVERY case this interpretation and recording were at least as good to my ears as the others, and usually more satisfying. On the ones I did not have, I heard great performances. I have listened to this album several times looking for the defects others find. It makes me wonder if they have bad ears or a bad hi fi system. Listening proves Mr. Watts to be a fine artist.

4 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I AM NOT A LISZT PURIST, November 4, 2006

By 

an amazon fan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Liszt: Piano Sonata in B minor; Paganini Etudes; Hungarian Rhapsody No. 13; Transcendental Etude No. 10 (Audio CD)

AND THEREFORE AM PUZZLED WHY THE FIRST TWO REVIEWERS THINK A BUDGET RELEASE SHOULD HAVE TO 'DELIVER' "ABSOLUTE PERFECTION"! SPEND MORE $$$ AND CHECK OUT THE REVIEW BOOKS, FOR GODS SAKE!

CZIFFRA IS ONE THING YET I FIND THIS CD TO BE EXCITING, BEAUTIFUL, NEVER BORING, AND VERY WELL RECORDED. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR THE PRICE!