Années de pèlerinage - Suisse

"Recording of the week: It is in movements such as 'Orage' where Piemontesi's virtuosity is on full display ... Even within this maelstrom of tempest-tossed chords, he takes care to observe all the markings ... This is extremely invigorating to listen to; I can't think of many other recordings that approach this level of turbulent frenzy ... [In Vallée d'Obermann] the way that Piemontesi shifts between torrid virtuosity and a delicately expressive touch is most impressive".

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"The Swiss book is a wonderfully poetic collection, the work of a young man enjoying the sights and sounds of Switzerland ... I really enjoyed these performances. Owen observes Liszt's directions closely and naturally and his playing has tremendous verve. The music flows with apparent ease ... There are, as one would expect, many other recordings ... but I was not inclined to make comparisons: Owen's performance stands by itself and is very welcome".

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"The Swiss pianist Francesco Piemontesi ... is quietly carving out an impressive career for himself and this latest release offers ample affirmation of his gifts ... Technically Piemontesi is completely at ease with this music and feels no need to play up the virtuoso elements of Liszt's writing, while accompanying figures never get in the way of the narrative line ... Throughout, there's a tremendously clear sense of narrative, capturing both the grandeur and the myriad hues of Liszt's remarkable tone poem".

"Vurdering: Gramophone choice" - "Here are tributes, that would surely have brought tears of gratitude from the composer himself on hearing his genius so ardently celebrated and confirmed rather than ridiculed. Bertrand Chamayou, who gives us a complete Années de pèlerinage, is a young French pianist of an impeccable pedigree and one to make even the finest Lisztians look to their laurels".

"Vurdering: IRR outstanding" - "These days when unprecedented virtuosity is the common coin of an entire generation of young pianists, it is not easy to describe what precisely puts Chamayou head and shoulders above his peers. His mastery of the piano is flawless; his oneness with the instrument complete ... This is piano playing on a very high level and Liszt interpretation filled with insight and beauty".

"Vurdering: Diapason d'or" - "Et quel exploit de nous faire aimer - oui, aimer et pas craindre".

"Vurdering: Editor's choice" - "Played as Liszt would have heard it ... It's an enthralling journey that throws new light on these poetic ideals of the Romantic era".

"Lortie is, above all, a cultivated musician, the subtlest of pianists, blessed with a rich imagination ... deeply considered and vivid performances".

"Vurdering: Editor's choice" - "The virtuoso and the visionary sit side by side in a spell-binding collection ... The accelerando he makes in the final cavalry-charge octave passage of Funérailles is electrifying but even these pale beside his Cziffra-inspired arrangement of the Hungarian Rhapsody No 13, the friska section ranking among the most staggering feats of pianistic legerdemain on record. A great pianist and a great recording".

"Editor's choice: For his latest Avie release, British pianist Charles Owen hs chosen the nine pieces comprising Liszt's 1855 Swiss 'Année', delivering a performance imaginatively rich, drenched with colour and thoroughly original in concept ... Sensitive to every turn of Liszt's harmonic invention, Owen's chords are so beautifully balanced they seem almost luminescent. Accomplished with thorough and refined pianistic skill and a wholehearted identification with Liszt's message, Owen's music-making is powerfully compelling".