Liszt: Sonata in B minor; Chopin: Sonatas, Opp. 4 & 35

On this CD:

1. Sonata, for piano in B minor, S. 178 (LW A179)
Composed by Franz Liszt
Performed by Jeno Jando

2. Sonata for piano No. 1 in C minor, Op. 4, CT 201
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Idil Biret

3. Sonata for piano No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 35, CT 202
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Idil Biret

Tracks:

Piano Sonata In B Minor: Lento assai - Allegro energico - Andante sostenuto - Allegro energico - Andante sostenuto - Lento assai
Sonata No. 1 In C Minor, Op. 4: Allegro maestoso
Sonata No. 1 In C Minor, Op. 4: Menuetto
Sonata No. 1 In C Minor, Op. 4: Larghetto
Sonata No. 1 In C Minor, Op. 4: Finale
Sonata No. 2 In B Flat Minor, Op. 35: Grave - Doppio movimento
Sonata No. 2 In B Flat Minor, Op. 35: Scherzo
Sonata No. 2 In B Flat Minor, Op. 35: Marche fune: Lento
Sonata No. 2 In B Flat Minor, Op. 35: Finale: Presto

Customer Reviews:

Chopin has it over Liszt on this CD.......2005-03-03

This generously filled (almost eighty minutes of music) CD sandwiches an almost unknown early work by Chopin between two standards of the Romantic sonata repertoire, played by two different pianists. Jeno Jando has recorded extensively for Naxos, often with very good results. This rendition of the Liszt Sonata, though, cannot be counted among his best work. Although Jando manages some exquisite sounds in the lyrical sections, the rest, though solidly played, lacks the last word in fire and brilliance that would make the performance memorable. As it is, this reading cannot be considered competitive with any of the classic versions by Argerich, Horowitz, Brendel et al.

Idil Biret's Chopin, helped by better recorded sound, is altogether more engaging. Her sparkling fingerwork and rhythmic urgency, in particular, bring even the overwritten and occasionally ineptly composed first movement of the early C minor Sonata Op. 4 to fitful life, while the succeeding, better movements, including the unusual 5/4 time slow movement, have considerable charm. The famous "Funeral March" Sonata has much more recorded competition. Here Biret's interpretation has some drawbacks, the Scherzo sounding rather choppy in the main section and the Funeral March itself hindered by fussy double-dotting and some strange textual choices. The ghostly finale does go by like the wind, however. All in all, if the point is to get a lot of music for not very much money the Chopin makes this CD worthwhile.

A Stunning Performance........2005-01-16

This is an excellant recording of 3 masterpieces, played by two of the top pianists today. The fact that Naxos is a "budget" label only means that these performers are not (yet) household names, but don't let that fool you. The Liszt piano sonata is notoriously difficult, and the Chopin pieces have their challenging moments, but the superb musicianship of the artists here is quite evident in abundance. Both play with accuracy, sensitivity, and a full dynamic range which makes this recording a joy to listen to over and over again. The reviewer below must have been listening with his ears closed.

A Yawner.......2004-02-10

I've been listening to a lot of Liszt and Chopin piano music lately and thought I should give a listen to one of Naxos's house pianists, Jeno Jandó, who certainly has given some excellent performances amongst the many recordings he has made for them. But this CD is very disappointing.

All the notes are in place, the dynamics are neatly modulated, the tempo are by and large fairly apt. Still, the performances are consistently undercharacterized and, more to the point, boring. For instance, the churning figure at the doppio movimento (after the Grave opening) of the Chopin's Second Sonata is simply squirmy, not agitated or exciting. The lyrical theme that comes just after is pure vanilla, not yearning, not an outpouring of beauty. Blech! I'd been listening earlier this week to Leif Ove Andsnes's performance on Virgin (a review will follow one of these days) and it's like the difference between tapioca pudding and crême brulée (and in Andsnes's verion the crême really sizzles). Jandó's funeral march is so calm you'd think it was a stroll in the park, although the middle section is nicely serene. The fleeting Presto is not so much misterioso as blurred by too much pedal.

Similar criticisms obtain for the rest of that and the first Chopin sonata included here. As to the Liszt b minor sonata, don't ask. I have listened lately to versions by seven other pianists. This one comes in dead last. It's as if Jando were on automatic pilot, even in the allegro energico sections.

In spite of the budget price I'd advise you to look elsewhere.

Scott Morrison

Music Review: