Paganini Studies / Schubert March Transcriptions
Hamelin and Hyperion have come up with an unusual and interesting program, balancing well-known Liszt transcriptions against all-but-unknown ones. The "Paganini Etudes" are among Liszt's better-known piano works, a heartfelt tribute to the violin virtuoso who inspired Liszt to greater heights of piano virtuosity. They're thrillers, and Hamelin has the technique and temperament to compete with the most famous Lisztianers who have recorded them. TheSchubert Marchesare rarities, both in the original four-hand versions and in Liszt's arrangements. Annotator Jeremy Nicholas does an excellent job of explaining where Liszt got his materials (two of the threeMarchescome from more than one work of Schubert's) and how he used them. The music sounds like a hybrid of Schubert and Liszt, very effective and engrossing, and Hamelin's playing is predictably intense. Score another winner for Hamelin, one of the most adventurous of all active pianists, and for Hyperion's presentation in all aspects.--Leslie Gerber