Discography

Discography

Liszt Transcendental Études

myrios classics
MYR019

July 2016
<p>Liszt Transcendental Études</p>

Liszt Transcendental Études

myrios classics
MYR019

July 2016

Described by Kirill Gerstein as “one of the most towering mountain peaks of the piano literature”, Liszt’s Transcendental Études can be seen as a distillation of the mid-19th century romantic project, like sounding images of romanticism’s nervous system, its otherworldly experiences, and its spirituality. For this new recording for myrios classics, Gerstein has looked to the word “transcendental” as the key to interpreting Liszt’s monumental cycle. Going beyond the mere technical mastery required to play the pieces, Gerstein interprets the many ways in which Liszt goes beyond the usual through his depictions of the ghostly, visionary and the impressionistic. Gerstein also explores the relationship between the etudes in order to reveal the dramatic arc of the set when played in one go.

Awards

Longlist nomination of 2016 Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik

Solo Instrument category nomination for 2017 International Classical Music Awards

The New Yorker Notable Recordings of 2016

The New York Times ’20 Best Classical Recordings of 2016’

WFMT, ‘The 10 Best Classical Recordings of 2016’

MusicWeb International Recordings of the Year 2018

1. Preludio
2. Molto vivace
3. Paysage
4. Mazeppa
5. Feux follets
6. Vision
7. Eroica
8. Wilde Jagd
9. Ricordanza
10. Allegro agitato molto
11. Harmonies du soir
12. Chasse-neige
Gerstein, a superb interpreter, seeks and convincingly finds the work’s grand unity — his thoughts on the matter are revealed in the lucid booklet interview, but, more important, in the ever-sensitive playing itself. From the brief, throwaway C major Preludio to the exhilarations of Wilde Jagd (Wild Hunt), to the melting, celebrated Harmonies du soir (the 11th piece) and what he sees as the textural “white-out” of the concluding Chasse-neige (Snow-storm), the unfolding is gripping, intricately fascinating and uniquely poetic.
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The Sunday Times
Gerstein, a superb interpreter, seeks and convincingly finds the work’s grand unity — his thoughts on the matter are revealed in the lucid booklet interview, but, more important, in the ever-sensitive playing itself. From the brief, throwaway C major Preludio to the exhilarations of Wilde Jagd (Wild Hunt), to the melting, celebrated Harmonies du soir (the 11th piece) and what he sees as the textural “white-out” of the concluding Chasse-neige (Snow-storm), the unfolding is gripping, intricately fascinating and uniquely poetic.
​​​​​​​​​​
The Sunday Times