Derek Lim <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>Hi, I would like some recommendations for Liszt's B-minor Sonata.  I notice
>on classical net a recording by John Browning (Delos) How good is this and
>how does it "stack up" to the other "standard" recordings?

Although I have never had a chance to listen to his recording, according
to David Dubal's "The Art of the Piano", 2nd ed., A Harvest Book, it says
"His playing of the (Liszt's) Sonata is pianistic and coolly patrician."

I do not know which recording is considered as "standard" by many people,
but I would reccomend you to listen to Argerich's recording on DG at least
once.  Some people do not appreciate her performance maybe due to fast
tempi she is taking here, but I believe this is one of her most exciting
performances.

Also I like Richter's live recording in 1966. This recording seems to be
available from several minor labels. His performance is more intense even
more than Argerich's and well-structured, but quality of sound is not so
good.

Maybe Brendel's recording on Philips could be an exemplary performace,
which is well-controlled and structured with robust techniques and deep
emotion.

What I did not appreciate is Pogorelich's on DG.  I usually find his
so-called "idiosyncratic" performances very interesting, but I did not
enjoy his Liszt.  I felt it is too choppy, which seems to inflict natural
flow of music.

*** Hitoshi Asaoka ([log in to unmask]) ***