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I must tell you I take terrible risks. Because my playing is very clear, when I make a mistake you hear it. If you want me to play only the notes without any specific dynamics, I will never make one mistake. Never be afraid to dare. ~ Vladimir Horowitz

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In 1986 - the centenary of Liszt's death - Leslie Howard gave a series of ten Liszt recitals in London. By carefully selecting only Liszt own compsitions, Howard was able to represent Liszt's entire solo piano work.
Consequently Howard made the largest recording project ever - the complete music for solo piano of Liszt (1985-1989).
All Liszt's versions of his piano music were included, including more than 300 premiere performances and recordings, and pieces unheard since Liszt's lifetime, and also all arrangements of other composers' work. Four discs were given to Liszt's seventeen works for piano and orchestra, about half of which were premiere recordings made from unpublished manuscripts.
The series ran at first to 94 full-length CDs, and earned Howard a place in the Guinness Book Of Records. One bonus disc and two later Cds - New Liszt Discoveries raised the number to 97. Two new discs were recently recorded and will appear in 2010.

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Among his many achievements, Leonard Bernstein is remembered as one of Gustav Mahler's most inspired advocates. While few today can imagine a classical music landscape without Mahler, it is doubtful that Mahler would have attained such a prominent place in performance repertoire without Bernstein's promotion. Bernstein wrote and lectured extensively on Mahler and his compositions, effectively putting Mahler on the cultural map while bringing his own distinctive - many would say defining - interpretations of Mahler's music to the forefront. ~ Alexandra Day

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The violin, through the serene clarity of its song, helps to keep our bearings in the storm, as a light in the night, a compass in the tempest, it shows us a way to a haven of sincerity and respect. ~ Yehudi Menuhin

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Pau Carles Salvador Casals i Defilló (December 29, 1876 – October 22, 1973), was a catalan cellist and composer. He studied at Barcelona from 1887 and made his début there in 1891. After further study in Madrid and Brussels his international career began in 1899, when he played Lalo's Concerto under Lamoureux in Paris. In 1905 he formed a trio with Thibaud and Cortot, recording works by Schubert and Beethoven. As a soloist Casals was renowned for his beautiful tone and intellectual strength. His playing did much to bring Bach's suites into the repertory. He formed the Orquestra Pau Casals in Barcelona in 1919 but his activities were curtailed by the Spanish Civil War. In 1950 at Prades he returned to music-making and later directed festivals at Perpignan and Puerto Rico. His many pupils included Guilhermina Suggia, with whom he formed a liaison. Casals wrote instrumental works and many choral pieces of a simple, devotional nature. ~ Music Encyclopedia

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October 14, 2005 marked the 15th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein's death. This lapse of time has only served to secure Bernstein's prominence as one of the most respected musicians of the 20th century and to affirm his reputation as a master conductor, composer, and teacher. Among his many achievements, Leonard Bernstein is remembered as one of Gustav Mahler's most inspired advocates. While few today can imagine a classical music landscape without Mahler, it is doubtful that Mahler would have attained such a prominent place in performance repertoire without Bernstein's promotion. Bernstein wrote and lectured extensively on Mahler and his compositions, effectively putting Mahler on the cultural map while bringing his own distinctive - many would say defining - interpretations of Mahler's music to the forefront. ~ Alexandra Day

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His extraordinary talent was recognized immediately and was first honoured in 1939 when Michelangeli won the first prize of the prestigious Geneva International Competition, whose jury was headed by Ignaz Paderewski. His importance as a towering figure among 20th-century pianists was stamped (coined...) by Cortot's saying: "Here is a new Liszt". ~arturobenedettimichelangeli.com "It is not a profession to be a pianist and musician. It is a philosophy, a conception of life that cannot be based on good intentions or natural talent. First and foremost there must be a spirit of sacrifice." "Music is a right, but only for those who deserve it!" ~ Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli

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Five stars for adrenalin: the cast of virtuosi and philosophers of the keyboard lives up to Liszt’s rethinkings, independent fantasies and (fairly) straight arrangements. Verdi and Wagner operas are the chief sources. Gounod takes the honours for spectacle, Schumann’s ‘Widmung’ for erotic ardour in Dichter’s sole contribution. The powerfully focused Arrau and the now flamboyant, now delicate Campanella appear most often, while there is softer-grained playing from Uninsky and Kocsis. Altogether a summit of creative and pianistic astonishment. ~ Robert Maycock, BBC Music Magazine

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October 14, 2005 marked the 15th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein's death. This lapse of time has only served to secure Bernstein's prominence as one of the most respected musicians of the 20th century and to affirm his reputation as a master conductor, composer, and teacher. Among his many achievements, Leonard Bernstein is remembered as one of Gustav Mahler's most inspired advocates. While few today can imagine a classical music landscape without Mahler, it is doubtful that Mahler would have attained such a prominent place in performance repertoire without Bernstein's promotion. Bernstein wrote and lectured extensively on Mahler and his compositions, effectively putting Mahler on the cultural map while bringing his own distinctive - many would say defining - interpretations of Mahler's music to the forefront. ~ Alexandra Day

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October 14, 2005 marked the 15th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein's death. This lapse of time has only served to secure Bernstein's prominence as one of the most respected musicians of the 20th century and to affirm his reputation as a master conductor, composer, and teacher. Among his many achievements, Leonard Bernstein is remembered as one of Gustav Mahler's most inspired advocates. While few today can imagine a classical music landscape without Mahler, it is doubtful that Mahler would have attained such a prominent place in performance repertoire without Bernstein's promotion. Bernstein wrote and lectured extensively on Mahler and his compositions, effectively putting Mahler on the cultural map while bringing his own distinctive - many would say defining - interpretations of Mahler's music to the forefront. ~ Alexandra Day

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October 14, 2005 marked the 15th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein's death. This lapse of time has only served to secure Bernstein's prominence as one of the most respected musicians of the 20th century and to affirm his reputation as a master conductor, composer, and teacher. Among his many achievements, Leonard Bernstein is remembered as one of Gustav Mahler's most inspired advocates. While few today can imagine a classical music landscape without Mahler, it is doubtful that Mahler would have attained such a prominent place in performance repertoire without Bernstein's promotion. Bernstein wrote and lectured extensively on Mahler and his compositions, effectively putting Mahler on the cultural map while bringing his own distinctive - many would say defining - interpretations of Mahler's music to the forefront. ~ Alexandra Day

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October 14, 2005 marked the 15th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein's death. This lapse of time has only served to secure Bernstein's prominence as one of the most respected musicians of the 20th century and to affirm his reputation as a master conductor, composer, and teacher. Among his many achievements, Leonard Bernstein is remembered as one of Gustav Mahler's most inspired advocates. While few today can imagine a classical music landscape without Mahler, it is doubtful that Mahler would have attained such a prominent place in performance repertoire without Bernstein's promotion. Bernstein wrote and lectured extensively on Mahler and his compositions, effectively putting Mahler on the cultural map while bringing his own distinctive - many would say defining - interpretations of Mahler's music to the forefront. ~ Alexandra Day

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October 14, 2005 marked the 15th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein's death. This lapse of time has only served to secure Bernstein's prominence as one of the most respected musicians of the 20th century and to affirm his reputation as a master conductor, composer, and teacher. Among his many achievements, Leonard Bernstein is remembered as one of Gustav Mahler's most inspired advocates. While few today can imagine a classical music landscape without Mahler, it is doubtful that Mahler would have attained such a prominent place in performance repertoire without Bernstein's promotion. Bernstein wrote and lectured extensively on Mahler and his compositions, effectively putting Mahler on the cultural map while bringing his own distinctive - many would say defining - interpretations of Mahler's music to the forefront. ~ Alexandra Day

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Bach's "Musical Offering" is given a truly historical treatment by the brothers Kuijken and Robert Kohnen. The arrangement is designed specifically for the use of ancient instruments. The performance takes place in the legendary Fest Hall in Leipzig's sacred City Hall. The setting and instrumentation provide an opportunity to hear and see an original Bach composition as it may have been played originally. The orchestra consists of Barthold Kuijken on transverse flute, Sigiswald Kuijken on violin, Wieland Kuijken on viola de gamba, and Robert Kohnen on harpsicord.

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Mozart's Marriage of Figaro is a comedy whose dark undertones explore the blurred boundaries between dying feudalism and emerging Enlightenment. Among dozens of fine Figaros on CD and DVD, few are as finely sung as this one, filmed in 1976 to a soundtrack recorded the previous year. Herman Prey's Figaro is admirably sung in a firm baritone and aptly characterized. So too, is his antagonist, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau as the Count perpetually frustrated by the scheming wiles of Figaro and Susanna, here the perky Mirella Freni, who sings and acts like a dream. The Countess is creamy-voiced Kiri Te Kanawa, and the Cherubino, Maria Ewing, looks just like the horny, teenaged page she's supposed to be. The all-star leads are complemented by worthy supporting singers, the Vienna Philharmonic at the top of its form, and the experienced Mozartian, Karl Böhm conducting a stylishly fleet performance. ~ amazon.com

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