In seeking out recordings of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsodies for Piano, I came
across a VAI International 2-disc set of the 19 Rhapsodies where each piece
is played by a different pianist.  If I remember right, the disc title was
something like:  "Liszt - The 19 Hungarian Rhapsodies played by 19 Great
Pianists.  This might seem like an odd way to offer a recording of Liszt's
complete Rhapsodies, but it's right in line with the way I often do reviews
of multiple versions of works.

Anyways, I'll surely obtain this set and am interested if anyone on the
list owns the VAI recordings and what is thought of them.  Recently, I've
been concentrating on the first four pieces in the set and am bowled over
by the 1st and 4th Rhapsodies.  I didn't remember Liszt sounding anywhere
as good as he's turning out to be.  My particular current favorite for
the 1st Rhapsody is Jando on Naxos; his first two minutes or so has a
sledgehammer delivery which contrasts so effectively with the tender and
serene music to follow.  What's your preferred Hungarian Rhapsodies on
piano?

As an aside, it seems like weeks since I last posted any reviews.  Although
I'm clicking at an intensive pace, I have been concentrating on new reviews
and listening regimens involving the Chopin, Schumann, Liszt, and Hindemith
piano works while still trying to carry on with my traditional and not-so
traditional favorites.  The discography for Chopin is especially imposing
with Rubinstein often clocking in with three different recordings of the
same body of works such as the Mazurkas and Nocturnes('78', mono, and
stereo eras).

At some point, all these reviews will come beaming your way, but I have no
idea when it might be.  Just when I get up a head of steam for one review
project, I spontaneously veer off into another.  Today is a good example.
I went to a store determined to obtain three particular recordings of the
Hungarian Rhapsodies and left with six sets of Chopin's Nocturnes.  When
arriving at home, I have to start playing those new acquisitions.  Oh well,
there's always tomorrow.  Before long, I'll have to approach folks and ask,
"Buddy, can you spare a disc?".

Don Satz