Pierre-Laurent Aimard: The Liszt Project – review

# Classical music

# Franz Liszt

(Deutsche Grammophon) (2 CDs)

Bombarded as we are by Liszt recordings in his anniversary year, this is refreshingly different. Pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard is also a skilled maker of programmes (he is currently director of the Aldeburgh festival). This recital, recorded live in Vienna's Konzerthaus, celebrates Liszt's influence on subsequent composers: Wagner (his little known sonata in A flat), Scriabin (the bizarre "Black Mass" sonata), Bartók, Berg, Ravel, Messiaen and Marco Stroppa (b 1959). Since large quantities of Liszt in one sitting can be indigestible, this is an excellent way into the B minor sonata and sections of Années de pèlerinage. Perhaps it was my sound system or the live recording but did the piano itself sound slightly muzzy?

Contributor

Fiona Maddocks

The GuardianTramp

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