Louis Kentner plays Balakirev, Lyapunov & Liszt

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Avoiding salon platitudes, Kentner’s readings exude a rich, fin de siècle perfume. Islamey may be less dazzling than some more recent recordings, but it is beautifully laid out and thoroughly... — Gramophone Magazine, November 2016 More…

Release Date: 2nd Sep 2016
Catalogue No: APR_6020
Label: APR
Length: 2 hours 22 minutes

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Balakirev: Piano Sonata in B flat minor

Work length24:01

$5.00

$6.50

Louis Kentner

I. Andantino

Track length6:12

$1.00

$1.30

II. Mazurka. Moderato

Track length4:41

$1.00

$1.30

III. Intermezzo. Larghetto

Track length4:44

$1.00

$1.30

IV. Allegro non troppo, ma con fuoco

Track length8:24

$2.00

$2.60

Balakirev: Rêverie in F major

Work length4:48

$1.00

$1.30

Louis Kentner

Balakirev: Mazurka No. 6 in A Flat

Work length4:36

$1.00

$1.30

Louis Kentner

Balakirev: Islamey - Oriental Fantasy

Work length8:59

$2.00

$2.60

Louis Kentner

Liszt: Piano Sonata in B minor, S178

Work length27:57

Album only

Louis Kentner

Lyapunov: 12 Études d'exécution transcendente, Op. 11

Work length1:12:12

$17.00

$22.05

Louis Kentner

No. 1, Berceuse (First Recording)

Track length4:27

$1.00

$1.30

No. 1, Berceuse

Track length4:13

$1.00

$1.30

No. 2, Ronde des fantômes

Track length3:05

$1.00

$1.30

No. 3, Carillon

Track length6:13

$1.00

$1.30

No. 4, Térek

Track length3:42

$1.00

$1.30

No. 5, Nuit d’été

Track length7:53

$2.00

$2.60

No. 6, Tempête

Track length4:02

$1.00

$1.30

No. 7, Idylle

Track length4:29

$1.00

$1.30

No. 8, Chant épique

Track length7:39

$2.00

$2.60

No. 9, Harpes éoliennes

Track length4:52

$1.00

$1.30

No. 10, Lesginka

Track length6:43

$1.00

$1.30

No. 11, Ronde des sylphes

Track length3:50

$1.00

$1.30

No. 12, Élégie en mémoire de François Liszt

Track length11:04

$3.00

$3.85

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About

Though born in what was then the Austro-Hungarian Empire and having studied and launched his career in Budapest, Louis Kentner decided to relocate to London in the 1930’s and for the next 50 years remained a part of the British musical establishment. He was a mainstay of the Columbia catalogue throughout the 1930’s and 40s where he recorded a wide range of repertoire including the ‘Hammerklavier’ sonata and many premiere recordings of major Liszt works. APR has already devoted two CDs to the latter (APR5514 & APR5614). In the 1950s he went on to record for HMV, both as soloist and as duo partner to Menuhin, whose brother-in-law he had become through marriage.

Almost all the recordings on this set date from the end of the 78rpm era and have been unjustly neglected as a result. Two major works of the late romantic Russian repertoire, the Balakirev Sonata and the Lyapunov Transcendental Studies, here received their premiere recordings, and to many listeners, they have yet to be surpassed. Kentner had an invincible Lisztian technique; there was no one better to tackle Lyapunov’s homage to Liszt’s own ‘Transcendentals’. He was also able to take complete command of that other virtuoso warhorse – Islamey.

Of particular interest is Kentner’s only recording of the Liszt Sonata, and a magnificent one it turns out to be. Issued on 78s in 1951 when most other labels had switched to LP, this recording had a very short life and has never previously been reissued. It is a major addition to the available discography of Liszt sonatas and to Kentner’s legacy.

Reviews

November 2016

Avoiding salon platitudes, Kentner’s readings exude a rich, fin de siècle perfume. Islamey may be less dazzling than some more recent recordings, but it is beautifully laid out and thoroughly virtuoso…this release comes as another welcome instance of APR’s continuing efforts to bring the history of recorded piano playing to our ears

21st September 2016

Kentner’s recordings given a new lease of life

Offer,Louis Kentner plays Balakirev, Lyapunov & Liszt

2 CDs

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