Favourite Liszt Interpreter(s)

[PianistSk8er]

I have been listening to a lot of Liszt lately, and I have come to form some opinions about the greats and their relation to Liszt's masterpieces.

My top three are the following:

• 3. Validimir Horowitz. His sheer strength and musical disposition make for a very gripping performance. His ability for perfect tonal projection and integrated rubato is quite exquisite. Love the second ballade. His Soirées de Vienne is quite awesome, as well.
• 2. Leif Ove Andsnes. His musical power is perfect, in my opinion, for the Romantic era. I sometimes wish he were less "careful" in his recordings. His technique is crystal-clear.
• 1. Gyorgy Cziffra. No surprise here. Now here is a man who fears no risk. His performances are exploding with life and pure musical vigour. His technique matches the style of music almost flawlessly. It seems impossible for him to achieve mediocrity, at least when it comes to playing Liszt. I'll never grow tired of listening to his Grand galop chromatique.

Honourable mention also goes to Rachmaninoff, for his exciting (yet old) recordings.

Looking forward to reading some other opinions,
PS

[Drummer06]

I Was Listening to Arcari Volodos and let me tell you what....He Rocks!
And not only are His Liszt Performances Awsome, but so are all of his other pieces.

[PianistSk8er]

I Was Listening to Arcari Volodos and let me tell you what....He Rocks!
And not only are His Liszt Performances Awsome, but so are all of his other pieces.

I like his Rach 3rd.

PS

[Drummer06]

I like his Rach 3rd.

Yeah That ones good but nothing Compares to his Variation of Mozart's Turkish Rondo..(Ok maybe its not "His" Variation but...You know what mean). Anyway That one Brings down the House.

[jre58591]

zimerman for the concertos. andsnes for some things, cziffra for a few things, leslie howard in RARE cases, hamelin in some cases. different people have their different strengths i guess.

[PianistSk8er]

zimerman for the concertos. andsnes for some things, cziffra for a few things, leslie howard in RARE cases, hamelin in some cases. different people have their different strengths i guess.

True... I hadn't considered Hamelin. His HR's are pretty amazing.

PS

[Brewtality]

usual suspects: Fiorentino, Horowitz, Cziffra, Ginzburg, Levy, Richter, Bolet, Arrau, Janis etc.