Classical Editor: Rob Barnett
 

Music Webmaster
Len Mullenger: Len@musicweb-international.com



FRANZ LISZT (1811-86)
Complete Piano Music, Volume 14.
Bunte Reihe, S484/R149.

Valerie Tryon (piano).
Naxos 8.553507 [DDD] [72'09]
Crotchet
 Amazon UK  Amazon USA

Liszt's transcriptions of Ferdinand David's Bunte Reihe, Op. 30 (originally subtitled '24 Character Pieces for violin and piano through all the keys') is a 72-minute demonstration of the art of transcription. That Liszt can hold the attention for nearly an hour and a quarter is all the more astonishing given the standard of David's music: the booklet notes state that, 'His music does not astonish, nor does it leave a lasting impression'. This hits the nail squarely on the head.

Successful transcription requires not only show-stopping virtuosity but also tasteful delicacy. Tryon, whose playing is always crisp and considered, brings off the Mendelssohnian Capriccio in D minor deliciously. She also has the measure of the heavier, more virtuoso numbers and throughout is intensely musical.

Hardly surprisingly given his proclivity for things Hungarian, Liszt wrote two versions of the Ungarisch in A minor. Tryon is equally expressive in both the more restrained first version and the schwungvoll second.

There are some real surprises here - the Gondellied in F would not be out of place in the Années de Pèlerinages, for example. Many movements would make ideal encore pieces. A trawl through all 25 tracks in order, however, is not recommended. Naxos' sound could perhaps do with more presence.

Reviewer

Colin Clarke

Performance

Recording



Reviewer

Colin Clarke

Performance

Recording


Reviews from previous months


You can purchase CDs, tickets and musician's accessories and Save around 22% with these retailers :

BlackStar.co.uk - The UK's Biggest Video Store


Concert and Show tickets

Ticketlinks

Musicians accessories

Click here to visit piedog.com



Return to Index