In my most recent fortnightly trip to HMV in Sydney I found an ArtHaus
Video of Burkard Schliessmann playing symphony metamophoses on walzes
and themes of Johann Strauss.  It seemed excellent value, particularly
since it also came with a Bonus DVD audio of his playing the four Chopin
Ballades, Barcarolle, etc.

The DVD is excellent although my wife objected to the number of palms
distributed around the playing location.  They did not detract one whit
from his playing.

I love the Godowsky-Strauss pieces.  I thought his playing was quite
masterful with all those simultaneous melody lines coming out clearly.
I was disappointed that he did not also play 'Wien, Weib under Gesang'
but otherwise I had nothing to complain about.  These Godowsky paraphrases
are technically quite challenging - at least, for me.  He handles the
technical difficulties with consummate ease ('ease' always seems to be
'consummate').

The Liszt Schubert transcriptions were also beautifully played.

Has anyone else seen this DVD?  Any comments?  Has anyone encountered
better playing of the Godowsky-Strauss paraphrases?

Leon Le Leu
Canberra