Liszt: Piano Works

Catalogue # 4764035

14 CD

The complete works for solo piano by Liszt, performed by France Clidat on 14 CDs.

Here comes the long-awaited first-release on CD of what has been the very first complete recording of Liszt's works for solo piano.

This large anthology, recorded in the late 1960s/70s by the French pianist France Clidat and re-released today, excludes the paraphrases and transcriptions. There remains only the very substance, that of a pianistic gesture given in its authenticity: the alpha and omega, in sum, of a charismatic artist who would labour in the name of freedom, truth and generosity. His noble, elegant stature still stands out as one of the finest and most modern figures of European Romanticism.

France Clidat writes: "In 1961, for the 150th anniversary of his birth, two Liszt recitals were released at the same time, one in the United States, the other in France. The presentation of the two discs was identical: a red jacket emblazoned with the medal commemorating this event. The pianists were Horowitz and... myself!

This was not my first recording for DECCA. The adventure had begun in 1956, with a first disc devoted to Russian music. Upon my return from Budapest and the Liszt Competition, I was engaged, again by DECCA, for a first Liszt recital, then for Balbastre and Debussy-Chabrier.

When DECCA France suggested that I record the complete works for solo piano, it was decided that this would not be a 'documentary' succession of everything that exists but just the works meeting two simple criteria: no paraphrase or transcription, even if the original was by Liszt, and only the definitive version of each work. By the latter choice, I was anxious to respect the Composer's wishes.

Throughout his career as a virtuoso, Liszt's technical domination and pianistic genius brought him a veritable exhilaration. He aroused admiration and passion, and the effect of his power of seduction was comparable to that of a bewitchment! However, the respect for the Art of which he was a Master and his prophetic spirit led him towards a lighter writing style whose 'virtuosity is not a passive slave'. Thus you will find, in the works brought together here, the final, refined masterpiece, forgetting the technical 'follies' inherent in the young Liszt's arrogance, full of excess. The essence of the initial text is there, and it is the outcome of that pianistic verity that I wanted to honour!"