Russian Piano School Volume 8: Lazar Berman

Berman's earlier recording of Transcendental Etudes on this Russian Piano School issue has never been surpassed. Richter plays selections of some of the pieces even better, but as a complete recording, Lazar Berman's Titanic account comes very close to how Liszt himself might have played the etudes. Simply astounding and truly transcendental!!!Track Listings1. 12 Etudes d'execution transcendante: No.1 Prld (Presto)2. 12 Etudes d'execution transcendante: No.2 Molto vivace3. 12 Etudes d'execution transcendante: No.3 Paysage (Poco adagio)4. 12 Etudes d'execution transcendante: No.4 Mazeppa (Allegro)5. 12 Etudes d'execution transcendante: No.5 Feux follets (Allegretto)6. 12 Etudes d'execution transcendante: No.6 Vision (Lento)7. 12 Etudes d'execution transcendante: No.7 Eroica (Allegro)8. 12 Etudes d'execution transcendante: No.8 Wilde Jagd (Presto furioso)9. 12 Etudes d'execution transcendante: No.9 Ricordanza (Andantino)10. 12 Etudes d'execution transcendante: No.10 Allegro agitato molto11. 12 Etudes d'execution transcendante: No.11 Harmonies du soir (Andantino)12. 12 Etudes d'execution transcendante: No.12 Chasse neige (Andante con moto)13. Hungarian Rhap No.9 In E-Flat 'Pesther Carneval'

This 1959 performance of the complete Transcendental Etudes by Lazar Berman is one of my desert island recordings (although I would deeply miss those of Vladimir Ovchinikov and the few recorded by Evgeny Kissin). The combination of brilliant, powerful virtuosity and romantic sensibility is breathtaking. Every lover of Liszt will want to hear this monumental accomplishment. Fortunately, a younger generation of superb pianists is pulling these phenomenal pieces out of the dustbin of time, including Daniil Trifonov, Alim Beisembayev and Yuchan Lim.

Incredible pianist.