Liszt: Paganini Studies

Advantages: Colourful and always exciting
Disadvantages: absolutely none

...movement, a kind of predecessor for Wagner's leitmotiv. And the fact that it was Berlioz's first symphony (he was only 26 years old), written just three years after the death of Beethoven (who was literally unknown in Paris at that time), the boldness of the work is incredible. So a work like this has to be considered as a major event in the history of music. The Symphonie would later greatly influence other contemporary composers like Franz Liszt, who was one of the major fore-runners of the early Romantic era. The work would also establish Berlioz's reputation around the world and would remain his most famous and popular work, keeping his memory alive through the 20th century. Even though much has been made of the Smithson influence in this work, I think Thomas DeQuincey's book "Confessions of an English Opium Eater" was perhaps more... Read review

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Advantages: Wide range of little-know music played live by world-class pianists
Disadvantages: None for those who enjoy classical Piano Solo music

...Danacord). Sauer is better known as an editor of piano works by Liszt, but he wrote sonatas, a large number of concert studies, and other works in a fairly conservative style, showing little influence of Liszt. Here Marshev plays two concert studies with a beautiful light wispy touch, amply fulfilling the titles of the works, "Sighing Breezes" and "Rustling Leaves". Marshev ends with an encore by Rodion Shchedrin, "A la Albeniz". Shchedrin is a twentieth century Russian composer whose music is enjoyable to listen to, and does not have the harshness and angularity of other modern composers, such as some works by Prokofiev. A la Albeniz is a lively, rhythmic work, written in homage to the Spanish composer, Isaac Albeniz. Marshev plays this work with verve, bringing out the Spanish melodies and rhythms with a Russian tinge. Piers Lane... Read review

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Advantages: A new way to hear Beethoven
Disadvantages: Surpassed by some later period cycles

...in 1787, but before he could even get started his mother died and he had to return home. Soon after his father was pensioned off from the Electorial Court due to his increasing alcoholism. This basically made Beethoven the head of the family, with him having to support his two brothers, Johann and Carl. When Mozart died in 1791 it was hoped that Beethoven might be able to become his heir and was therefore sent to study with Haydn. However, the older master's musical style didn't really suit Beethoven and he later said that he didn't learn anything from Haydn. In the late 1790s he toured extensively as a piano virtuoso while at the same time developing his compositional skills. This development is nowhere better represented that in the nine symphonies he wrote between 1800 and 1824. With the world rapidly changing around him it also effected... Read review

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