They are a rarity: complete issues of Listz’s 19 Hungarian Rhapsodies. Especially the later ones written at the end of Liszt’s life are hardly ever recorded. The numbers 16 to 19 seem to be less popular with pianists. Too difficult?
A new recording by pianist Artur Pizarro. This Portugese musician was winner of the Leeds International Piano Competition in 1990. He is always in for a challenge. Two years ago he performed all 32 of Beethoven’s sonatas live in front of an audience in 8 concerts. Pizarro has already made many very well-received recordings for several prominent labels.
Pizarro is renowned for his lyrical poeticism and outstanding virtuosity which makes him an ideal performer of Liszt’s music. The colourful rhapsodies are reverberating with the composer’s utter admiration for gypsy music. They sound truly Hungarian and rhapsodic under Pizarro’s hands.
