Tag Archives: Liszt

Soporific Schubert, but peak Liszt from Khatia Buniatishvili

Khatia Buniatishvili Barbican, 1st April 2019 The cover of Khatia Buniatishvili’s new CD of Schubert features the Georgian pianist in Pre-Raphaelite pose as John Millais’ Ophelia, draped in white, clutching a sprig of hogweed, immersed in the water. I’m not … Continue reading

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An affectionate Bruckner 4 from Nézet-Séguin and the Rotterdam Philharmonic

Prom 61: Rotterdam PO/ Nézet-Séguin **** Royal Albert Hall, 28th August 2018 Mention Anton Bruckner and the clichés tumble forth: Wagner acolyte, cathedrals in sound, brass chorales opening the gates of heaven. His symphonies are on the grandest scale, barely … Continue reading

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Jamming with Brahms and Liszt in Café Budapest

Prom 55: Budapest Festival Orchestra/ Fischer ***** Royal Albert Hall, 23rd August 2018 Crossover is nothing new. In the 19th century, Franz Liszt and Johannes Brahms appropriated Hungarian gypsy melodies for the salon and concert hall, drawing on the verbunkos fiddler style … Continue reading

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Flamboyant Liszt, bold Brahms from Khatia Buniatishvili at the QEH

Khatia Buniatishvili **** Queen Elizabeth Hall, 9th May 2018 Khatia Buniatishvili was born to play Liszt. This is not news. Her Liszt is like a wild stallion, galloping furiously, nostrils flared, tossing its black mane impatiently. The easy virtuosity she brings … Continue reading

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A polished London debut recital from George Li

George Li *** St John’s, Smith Square, 20th March 2018 George Li is not a flashy pianist. There are no histrionics, no gurning, no gazing into the middle distance for poetic effect. Instead, the Chinese-American, silver medalist in the 2015 … Continue reading

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