Franz Liszt

Despite turning his back on the virtuoso life aged just thirty-five, the Hungarian Franz [Ferenc] Liszt, born on 22 October 1811, 'the year of the Comet,' and living until 31 July 1886, was the greatest transcendental pianist of the 19th century. Extravagant, economic, epic, exquisite, drawing freely on 'the musical compositions of all languages, nations, and epochs from Palestrina to Parsifal' (Busoni), he was a prolific composer and transcriber, whose innovative approach to thematic transformation, harmony and orchestration influenced equally both contemporaries and future progressives - from Wagner (his son-in-law) and the Russians to Mahler, Schoenberg and Bartók. His art, like his personality, famously combined and conflicted the religious, satanic and 'eternal feminine' in a creative tension of involving consequence. AO

A selection of articles about Franz Liszt

'Obscure' Repertoire - Important advice for pianists

Spotlight. Musical Siblings - Gerald Fenech heartily recommends Isata Kanneh-Mason's new Mendelssohn album. 'An enchanting album, sensitively performed and sumptuously recorded ...'

Ensemble. Top of the Liszt - Robert McCarney marvels at the music making of young Kosovar pianist Melisa Ibrahimi

Spotlight. A Romantic Piano Master - Esdras Mugatik listens to Shura Cherkassky. '... a magical capacity to differentiate levels of sound ...'

Spotlight. Gripping and Engaging - Geoff Pearce enjoys music by Edvard Grieg. 'It is especially rewarding to hear the unfamiliar works that make up much of this disc.'

Ensemble. Mercurial Switches of Mood - Mike Wheeler is impressed by Mendelssohn, Liszt, Beethoven and J S Bach/Myra Hess played by Japanese pianist Yu Kosuge

Ensemble. Judiciously Balanced - Mike Wheeler listens to a recital by Petr Limonov

Ensemble. Superb and Imaginative Playing - Roderic Dunnett marks Thomas Trotter's forty years as Birmingham City Organist by reviewing a special anniversary recital and investigating the artist's large output on the Regent Records label

Ensemble. An Uncanny Cool and Relaxed Demeanour - Malcolm Miller is impressed by the London recital of young Chinese-Canadian pianist Kevin Chen

Classical music news. October 2023 Newsletter - Watch and listen to our October 2023 one hour video newsletter - Classical Music and Artificial Intelligence

Classical music news. Obituary - André Watts (1946-2023)

Profile. Allan Rae: Three Symphonies - A detailed look at some astounding music by one of Canada's great composers

Music as a Form of Magic - Larry Sitsky: Late Piano Pieces - Second Series 2022-2023

CD Spotlight. In a Class of its Own - Recordings of Clara and Robert Schumann's piano concertos impress Gerald Fenech. 'Beatrice Rana's magical playing is complimented by incisive support from Yannick Nézet-Séguin and his Chamber Orchestra of Europe ...'

CD Spotlight. Unjustifiably Neglected - Gerald Fenech is impressed with orchestral music by Carlos Gomes. 'I encourage you to invest in this beautiful album which will definitely sweep you off your feet.'

Ensemble. Unstoppable Panache - Mike Wheeler listens to Amy Dickson and Martin Cousin

Ensemble. Bubbling Energy - Mike Wheeler listens to Sarah Beth Briggs

Ensemble. 'Three Bs' with a Twist - Russian pianist Anna Tsybuleva, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Delicately Sensitive Performances - Operatic fantasies by Sigismond Thalberg, strongly recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... characteristically intense and warm ...'

Ensemble. A Wide Chronological and Stylistic Range - Mike Wheeler listens to British pianist George Harliono

CD Spotlight. Liszt's Fantasies - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to music by Franz Liszt for piano and orchestra. '... an excellent reading ...'

Cleavage Pianists: Let's Be Fair - Esdras Mugatik argues the case for the music

Ensemble. A Masterly Balance - Mike Wheeler listens to J S Bach, Liszt and Schubert from Emmanuel Despax

Ensemble. The Early Bird Arrives - Two more concerts at the 2021 Buxton Festival, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Down with the Piano Lid - Mike Wheeler listens to Ivan Hovorun

CD Spotlight. Liszt the Pilgrim - Michele Campanella's recording of Liszt's 'Années de pèlerinage', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi. '... a virtuoso rendering with a very personal touch.'

A Quiet Logic - Chang Sun writes about the American pianist Kit Armstrong

CD Spotlight. Enjoyable Stuff - Liszt, Schubert and Brahms piano works, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'Christopher Park's near flawless interpretations have a broad structural vision, and his exquisite and intimate phrasing, while not over-romanticised, makes these works sound even more impressive. The Liszt/Schubert piece is particularly stirring, even more so through the sympathetic support of Eschenbach and his players.'

Exceptional Provenance - Anett Fodor tells the story of Beethoven, Liszt and the Little Broadwood

A Different Kind of Minimalism - A P Virag investigates Ervin Nyiregyházi's '36 Selected Works for Solo Piano'

Ensemble. A Winning Team - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to a pre-tour concert by Martha Argerich and Antonio Pappano, with the Symphony Orchestra of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia

Profile. A Controversial Figure? - George Colerick investigates the younger Franz Liszt

A Call to Action - George Colerick discusses early Romanticism, with particular reference to Schubert, the piano, Schumann and the development of the symphony orchestra

Jerome Rose - In the build-up to New York's International Keyboard Institute and Festival, Richard Meszto writes about the festival's founder

Interpretation and Aporias - Richard Meszto considers Michael Kieran Harvey's recent doctoral dissertation

Ensemble. A Timeless Composition - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to interweaved movements from Beethoven and Ligeti, played by Herbert Schuch

CD Spotlight. Improvisatory Freedom - Gerald Fenech listens to pianist Myron Romanul. 'Romanul's playing brims with an expressive power that generates its own excitement and self-belief ...'

Somewhat Delayed Reviews - The Beauty of Italy Captured in Sound - Arabella Teniswood-Harvey plays piano music from Italy, impressing Richard Meszto

CD Spotlight. Majestic Feelings - Leon McCawley plays Schubert, admired by Anett Fodor. 'His unique touch, articulation, expressive dialogue between hands and outstanding technique are admirably illustrated in virtuoso passages which demonstrate his remarkable sense of style. This recording offers many memorable moments for the listener.'

Big-boned Works - Mike Wheeler listens to Hong Kong-born pianist Rachel Cheung playing Franck, Schumann and Liszt

In At The Deep End - Michael Haynes' organ recital at Derby Cathedral, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Boundless Energy - Hungarian pianist János Balázs and the Cziffra Festival Chamber Orchestra, heard in Bratislava by Anett Fodor

Ensemble. A Deep Impression - Less well-known music for oboe and piano played by James Turnbull and Libby Burgess, appreciated by Mike Wheeler

A Fascinating Programme - Dina Duisen plays Beethoven, Chopin, Saint-Saëns, Liszt and Nagim Mendygaliev, impressing Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Movingly Realized - Hindson, Corigliano and Liszt played by Lara St John, heard by the late Howard Smith. 'As the grinding sounds of industry and sweeping whoosh of turbine blades recede, St John distances her tone for the central lyrical episode ...'

CD Spotlight. Puckish Effervesence - A piano recital by Stephen Hough, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... music from the sublime to the Antipodean.'

Altogether Invigorating - Gabriele Baldocci's Kabalevsky and Beethoven/Liszt at the BPSE Summer Festival impress Malcolm Miller

Ensemble. High Ambitions - Michael Landes was at the American Protégé Winners' recital on 14 May 2017 in Carnegie Hall

CD Spotlight. Subdued Poise - Panayiotis Demopoulos plays Liszt, Beethoven and Demopoulos, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... adroitly articulated and intelligently moulded: a study in progress.'

CD Spotlight. A Winning Disc - Romantic music for piano four hands impressed the late Howard Smith. '... Buccheri and Boldrey convey the demanding score with spellbinding assurance.'

CD Spotlight. A Beautiful Issue - Art songs by Franz Liszt, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'Benjamin Brecher's sensitive performances are full of dramatic nuances and range of colour ...'

Ensemble. Compellingly Memorable - Schubert and Liszt from Ian Tindale and Nick Pritchard impress Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. A Study in Dislocation - Mike Wheeler listens to Chopin, Debussy, Ligeti, Liszt, Grigory Ginzburg and Scarlatti, played by Isata Kanneh-Mason

Dies Irae - George Colerick takes a look at secular and romantic uses of the old Latin hymn

Tonal Clarity - An organ recital by Daniel Gottfried impresses Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Stand-out Performers - Michael Landes attends an American Protégé winners' recital

CD Spotlight. Rippling Imagery - A piano recital by Jeremy Eskenazi, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... evident affinity with music requiring rapid rippling imagery and astute tonal control.'

CD Spotlight. Expertly Sculpted - James Brawn's time traveller recital delights Andrew Schartmann. 'Each time a passage repeats ... Brawn shows us something new.'

A Strong Impression - Mark Bebbington makes a return visit to Nottingham, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. A Composer's Christmas - The Cann Twins, heard by Mike Wheeler

Finely-Judged - Mike Wheeler listens to most of a piano recital by Ashley Wass

CD Spotlight. Compelling Listening - Lithuanian-born pianist Vytautas Smetona impresses Geoff Pearce. 'His cantabile playing almost transports you to heaven ...'

CD Spotlight. Impressively Able - An-Ting Chang's 'Water Image', heard by Howard Smith. '... highlighting the theatrical and audio possibilities of nineteenth century piano music ...'

Memorable Distinction - Halida Dinova brings her Liszt to New Zealand, by Howard Smith

CD Spotlight. Astonishing Performances - Early recordings by Nelson Freire impress Gerald Fenech. 'An ideal set for ... all who admire this truly great soloist.'

CD Spotlight. Clear Rewards - Tien Hsieh plays Bach and Beethoven, and impresses Howard Smith. '... a distinctive robust architecture ...'

CD Spotlight. True Command - James Brawn plays Bach, Liszt, Musorgsky and Rachmaninov, recommended by Andrew Schartmann. 'The "Promenade" ... is like butter in Brawn's hands.'

Certainly Nimble - Mike Wheeler listens to pianist Antony Peebles

A Big Statement - Peter Gould's last full-scale organ recital as Master of the Music at Derby Cathedral impresses Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Feisty Drama - Jean Muller plays Liszt, heard by Howard Smith. '... Muller tackles the exacting Trancendental Etudes with enormous technical address ...'

CD Spotlight. Mastery of Adaptation - Opera transcriptions for piano, heard by Howard Smith. '... illuminating performances ...'

A Worthy Cause - Diederick Potgieter plays Busoni/Bach, Beethoven and Liszt, heard by Malcolm Miller

Verging on Truculence - Mike Wheeler listens to Kazakhstan-born pianist Samson Tsoy

CD Spotlight. A Special Affinity - Beethoven, Chopin and Liszt from Viktor Bijelovic, heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... beautiful voicing and highly sensitive phrasing.'

Ensemble. Interesting and Dramatic - Liszt's Dante Symphony and Antonio Estévez's Cantata Criolla, heard by Maria Nockin

A Thoughtful Account - Richard Uttley plays Beethoven, Grieg, Britten, Bartók, Debussy, Timothy Jackson, Liszt and Schumann, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

The Magic of Performance - Part II - On the Elusive Nature of the Nationalist Spirit in Music, by Andrew Schartmann

Ensemble. Nimble Playing - Music for saxophone and piano played by Huw Wiggin and James Sherlock, heard by Mike Wheeler

Especially Brilliant - An evening of piano music from Giuseppe Andaloro, heard by Giuseppe Pennisi

Innovative Content - A piano journey on the Danube, with Giuseppe Pennisi

Lucidity of Touch - Leonora Armellini plays for the Keyboard Trust, heard by Bill Newman

CD Spotlight. Cerebral Performances - Liszt-Wagner piano paraphrases, heard by Howard Smith. 'Fisch performs these transcriptions with striking clarity and communicative sensitivity.'

Pianistic Colour - Jong-Gyung Park at Derby Chamber Music impresses Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. The Flame of Music - Malcolm Troup reports on new arrivals from China and Lithuania at the Beethoven Piano Society of Europe's Summer Festival in London

CD Spotlight. Daring and Mastery - Pianist Young-Ah Tak, heard by Bill Newman. '... this CD is worth its weight in gold.'

Boldly Shaped - D'Arcy Trinkwon at the organ of Derby Cathedral, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ask Bill! - Everything you've wanted to know about music (and more) from your self-appointed agony uncle, Bill Newman, who also visits London's Wigmore Hall to hear French pianist Bertrand Chamayou

CD Spotlight. Striking Motifs - Eugene Alcalay plays Liszt, heard by Robert Anderson. 'Alcalay characterises this music admirably.'

CD Spotlight. A Triumphant Achievement - Diabelli variations by Beethoven and others, enjoyed by Robert Anderson. '... deft conjuring tricks ...'

Ensemble. Luminescently Virtuoso - Erdem Misirlioglu's BPSE competition winner's recital, reviewed by Malcolm Miller

Ensemble. Beauty of Tone - Danill Trifonov's prizewinner's concert from the Arthur Rubinstein Piano Master Competition, reviewed by Bill Newman

Ensemble. Superb Playing - Bill Newman listens to a selection of instrumental chamber music in London

Ensemble. Powerfully Expressive - Holst, Howells, Finzi and Liszt from the Derwent Singers, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

South Bank Pianists - Bill Newman listens to Peter Donohoe, Richard Goode and Peter Jablonski

Ensemble. Mesmerising Stillness - Stephen Hough joins Marin Alsop and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Energy and Fire - 'Close Encounters with Music' from Scottsdale, heard by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Dramatic Breadth - Cyprien Katsaris plays Liszt, heard by Howard Smith. '... seismic and mercurial by turns ...'

Fun-and-games Time - Mike Wheeler listens to Venetian pianist Alessandro Taverna

Ensemble. 2011 Specials - A roundup of London concerts enjoyed by Bill Newman, featuring recitals by Alice Sara Ott, the Emerson Quartet, Martin Fröst and Roland Pontinen, the Orchestra of the Polish EU Presidency, Kreeta-Julia Heikkilä and Roope Grondahl, and Martino Tirimo's Rosamunde Trio

Ensemble. Poetic Insight - A recital by Erdem Misirlioglu, reviewed by Bill Newman

Courage and Finesse - A recital by pianist Arisu Nakao, heard by Bill Newman

Ensemble. Faust versus Faust - Two concerts conducted by Antonio Pappano, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Deliciously Bubbly - James Baillieu plays Beethoven, Schumann, Gottschalk and Paganini via Liszt, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. A Pianistic Tribute - Jean-Yves Thibaudet plays Liszt, heard by Robert Anderson. '... remarkable performance ...'

An Outstanding Evening - Bill Newman listens to American pianist Rorianne Schrade

Ensemble. Beautifully Played - Bill Newman attends two orchestral concerts at London's Royal Festival Hall

Uncommon Joy - Florian Mitrea at London's St Martin-in-the-Fields, heard by Malcolm Troup

CD Spotlight. Hammer and Tongs - Franz Liszt funeral odes, heard by Robert Anderson. 'Orchestra and conductor have all the requisite diablerie.'

Ensemble. Exciting Teamwork - Roderic Dunnett was in Worcester for the 2011 Three Choirs Festival

Turning Gravity into Grace - Malcolm Troup has three encounters with the sublime

Great Things to Come - Malcolm Troup listens to a recital by the all-conquering but still largely unsung pianist Gloria Campaner

CD Spotlight. A No-nonsense Approach - Orchestral music by Richard Strauss, heard by Robert Anderson. '... not quite the whole story.'

Consummate Artists - Malcolm Troup reports on the BPSE Summer Festival at London's Regent Hall, where for the first time Music, not consumerism, called the shots

Structural Thinking - Recitals on the organ at Derby Cathedral by Andrew Dewar, David Briggs and Anthony Hammond, heard by Mike Wheeler

Great Energy - Timothy Byram-Wigfield plays the organ at Derby Cathedral and impresses Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Keyboard Diablerie - Beethoven Sonatas and Symphonies, heard by Robert Anderson. '... stunning performance ...'

New Contexts - Malcolm Miller reports on a recent Symposium on Beethoven's Diabelli Variations

CD Spotlight. Compelling and Pleasurable - Arthur Friedheim plays Liszt, Chopin, Gottschalk and Henselt, heard by Patric Standford. '... a slightly improvisatory interpretation ...'

Ensemble. Serious Intentions - Bill Newman listens to Stephen Hough

CD Spotlight. Unaffected Restraint - Halida Dinova plays music that tells stories, heard by Howard Smith. '... a mesmerising interpreter ...'

CD Spotlight. Striking Power - Leslie Howard plays Rachmaninov, heard by Howard Smith. '... a staggering technique.'

Ensemble. Tuning in Afresh - Bill Newman listens to Bulgarian pianist Vesselin Stanev

CD Spotlight. Outside the Box - A recital by Gunnar Johansen, heard by Howard Smith. '... a floodtide of seismic power and romantic fervor ...'

Ensemble. A Great Success - Sergey Sobolev plays Chopin, Liszt and Schumann, heard by Bill Newman

CD Spotlight. Positively Spellbinding - Music for clarinet, piano and cello, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... a fine recording ...'

Ensemble. Great Delicacy - Mike Wheeler listens to the Hallé Orchestra in Liszt, Schumann and Brahms

Ensemble. Unmissable Talents - An array of artists at London's Wigmore Hall, reviewed by Bill Newman

Perfection Itself - Michail Lifits at London's Wigmore Hall delights Bill Newman

Ensemble. Zip and Sparkle - Alexandra Dariescu plays Beethoven, Liszt, Chopin and Constantin Silvestri, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. High Standards - Bill Newman listens to various artists at London's Wigmore Hall

CD Spotlight. Delicate Mastery - Orchestral music by Glazunov, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... dashingly done ...'

Absolutely Outstanding - Kotaro Fukuma's performances of Schumann, Chopin and Liszt amaze Bill Newman

CD Spotlight. Unjustly Neglected - Orchestral tone poems by Boughton and Bainton impress Robert Anderson. '... performed with conviction and sensitivity ...'

New Year Blues - A roundup of recent London concerts by Bill Newman

CD Spotlight. Finely Displayed - Alfred Brendel plays Liszt, recommended by Robert Anderson. 'Michael Gielen backs Brendel's eloquence with unobtrusive skill.'

CD Spotlight. Aristocratic in Inspiration - Matthew Cameron plays Liszt, enjoyed by Robert Anderson. '... dignity and eloquence.'

CD Spotlight. Wonderfully Deft - Choral and orchestral music by Camille Saint-Saëns, heard by Robert Anderson. 'The London Philharmonic under Geoffrey Simon gives of its best ...'

Confidently Entertaining - A recital by John Paul Ekins delights Bill Newman

Command and Panache - Russian pianist Rustem Kudoyarov, heard by Mary Isaac

Ensemble. Superb Pianism - A London recital by Julian Jacobson, heard by Robert Anderson

Ensemble. A Blistering Whirlwind - More from the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. A Wondrous Variety - Piano music by Chopin and Liszt, heard by Robert Anderson. '... Dominic Piers Smith survives not only intact but triumphant ...'

CD Spotlight. Exciting Listening - Mykola Suk plays Liszt, enjoyed by Robert Anderson. '... a mastery and range of expression ...'

Liszt with Languid Ease - Christopher Herrick at Derby Cathedral, heard by Tony Westerman

CD Spotlight. Striking Originality - Piano music by Moscheles, Mendelssohn and Schumann, heard by Robert Anderson. '...Todd Crow deserves unstinted gratitude.'

CD Spotlight. Enviable Ease - Irena Portenko plays Chopin, recommended by Robert Anderson. '... easy fluidity of touch and tone ...'

A Performance to Remember - A recital by Emanuel Rimoldi impresses Bill Newman

Ensemble. Impeccable Standards - Bill Newman's pick of June and July concerts at London's Wigmore Hall

Wondrously Expansive - Ronan Magill's recital at London's Wigmore Hall impresses Robert Anderson

Linear Clarity - Julian Jacobson's Wigmore Hall recital impresses Malcolm Miller

Ensemble. Limpid Clarity - 'The Barber of Baghdad' by Peter Cornelius, experienced by Mike Wheeler

Flowers of Light - Puccini's 'I crisantemi' as a pedagogical tool for piano performance majors, by Heidi Lowy

Ensemble. Neatly Balanced - A City Lit music gala, enjoyed by Malcolm Miller

Profile. Important Skills - Maria Nockin talks to American mezzo Dolora Zajick

CD Spotlight. Thrilling Mastery - Tanja Becker-Bender plays Paganini, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... sparkling clarity and power ...'

Ensemble. A Cross Section - Bill Newman comments on some recent concerts at London's Wigmore Hall

Mature and Considered - Stephen Savage plays Beethoven, heard by Julian Jacobson

CD Spotlight. Sterling Playing - Wendy Warner's interpretations of Popper and Piatigorsky, heard by Howard Smith. '... sovereign music-making deserving of the highest accolades.'

CD Spotlight. Brilliantly Portrayed - Friedrich Klose's 'Ilsebill', praised by Gerald Fenech. '... a risky yet rewarding adventure ...'

CD Spotlight. Utterly Absorbing - A sampler from Cedille Records, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... top quality standards.'

Bizarre Perception - Alistair Hinton discusses a recent article on English music by David Hamilton

CD Spotlight. Formidable Pianism - Beethoven arranged by Liszt, heard by Robert Anderson

Ensemble. Unity of Conception - Malcolm Troup was at the BPSE Summer Festival in London

Highly Effective - Peter Gould helps celebrate the seventieth anniversary of Derby Cathedral's Compton Organ, as noted by Mike Wheeler

A Liquid Lunch - A recital by Evelyne Berezovsky, heard by Julian Jacobson

Cumulative Weight - Mike Wheeler listens to Peter Williams at the organ of Derby Cathedral

Ensemble. A Sparkling Account - The Kanazawa-Admony Piano Duo pays tribute to Carola Grindea, reviewed by Malcolm Miller

Ensemble. True Artistry - Howard Smith attends New Zealand's Music Fair of Japan 2009

CD Spotlight. Evident Sympathy - Major piano works by Schubert, heard by Robert Anderson. '... Lipkin understands well how to respect the silences ...'

Ensemble. Excellent Throughout - A lunchtime piano recital by Maiko Mori, heard by Bill Newman

Ensemble. Exceptional Gifts - Lawrence Budmen reports from the 2009 Miami International Piano Festival

CD Spotlight. A Real Work-out - Jane Parker-Smith at the organ of St Gudula, Rhede, enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz

Caressing Hands - Andrejs Osokins at London's St Martin-in-the-Fields, heard by Julian Jacobson

The Composer's Conundrum? - Alistair Hinton comments on Gordon Rumson's recent article

The Composer's Conundrum - Gordon Rumson has some bad news about creativity and self-promotion

Intrinsic Virtue - A concert and Handel exhibition at London's Foundling Museum, reviewed by Malcolm Miller

Pure Fashion? - Several Composers in Search of an Identity, by Béla Hartmann

Rare Talent - Young Concert Artists Trust recitals, reviewed by Bill Newman

CD Spotlight. Dancing Goblins - Music by Bazzini, heard by Howard Smith. '... Hanslip brings it off with suitable aplomb.'

Ensemble. High Spirits - Freddy Kempf and the Moscow Philharmonic, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. A Real Barnburner - Another report from this summer's Tanglewood Festival, by Lawrence Budmen

An Interesting Programme - An organ recital by Martin Neary, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. New Thinking - Maria Nockin experiences an updated version of Verdi's 'La Traviata'

Temperament and Imagination - Alberto Portugheis enjoys a recital by the Romanian-American pianist Eugene Alcalay

The bottom of my lis(z)t?? - Alistair Hinton comments on Patric Standford's recent Provocative Thoughts

Ensemble. A Degree of Truth - A spring remembrance concert for the Armenian victims of 1915, reviewed by Bill Newman

The Wandering Traveller - Kelly Ferjutz delves further into Richard Wagner and the forthcoming symposium in Ohio

Why Canton? - On the creation of an international Wagner symposium, by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. Robust and Vigorous - Saint-Saëns' 'Samson and Delilah', reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Colourful Renditions - Recitals by Denitsa Laffchieva and Evelina Puzaite, reviewed by Bill Newman

Ensemble. Creative Heritage - Regrets and remedies, the Wigmore way, by Bill Newman

CD Spotlight. Intense Seriousness - A recital by Canadian pianist Robert Silverman, recommended by Gordon Rumson

A Radiant Performance - Ashley Wass in Derby, assessed by Mike Wheeler

DVD Spotlight. Much Resonance - Daniel Barenboim and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra in Ramallah, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... an orchestra of first-class accomplishment.'

Rhythmic Bounce - Peter Gould at the organ of Derby Cathedral, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Intelligent and Cogent - Julian Jacobson attended the Beethoven Piano Society of Europe's Summer Celebrity Festival

Old-time virtuosity stages a comeback - Daniel Grimwood at St Martin-in-the-Fields, reviewed by Malcolm Troup

The Big Statement - An organ recital by John Keys, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. A Pianistic Phenomenon - Malcolm Troup was at Qian Wu's recent London South Bank recital

Ensemble. One Generation 4 Another - Malcolm Miller was at the Lord's Taverner's charity pop concert at London's Royal Albert Hall

Ensemble. Breathtaking Pianism - Malcolm Miller was at Ian Hobson's Wigmore Hall piano recital

CD Spotlight. Something for Everyone - A new CD from The 5 Browns, enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz. '... charming, vivacious, passionate and gorgeously performed.'

Ensemble. Expansively Romantic - Teatro Lirico d'Europa's 'La Traviata', reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Deeply satisfying - A piano recital by Jane Ford, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. The ideal match - Celebrating the tenth series of live music at London's Wallace Collection, by Bill Newman

Ensemble. A musical treasure - Polina Osetinskaya displays fiery command in Beethoven and Liszt, appreciated by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Bravura virtuosity - Lawrence Budmen was at the Miami International Piano Festival

Provocations - Alistair Hinton and Chad Wozniak discuss Patric Standford's recent 'Provocative Thoughts'

Ensemble. Liszt on Wagner's Steinway - Malcolm Miller applauds a young artist in the Festspiel-Soirée Series at the Wahnfried in Bayreuth

Ensemble. Magnificent playing - Mûza Rubackyté in recital, and on disc, appreciated by Bill Newman

CD Spotlight. Interlinking resonances - A song recital by Malena Ernman, reviewed by Robert Hugill. '... lively and charmingly refreshing ...'

Record box. Devotional pieces - David Barela plays Liszt, reviewed by Patric Standford

Ensemble. An evening full of Hampsongs - by Sissy von Kotzebue

Ensemble. An exciting career ahead - Manus Carey listens to Chinese pianist Wu Qian

Ensemble. Ravel chestnut - A dazzling arrangement of 'Bolero' for two pianos, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

CD Spotlight. Brave heart - Angela Lear's search for the essential Chopin, by Gordon Rumson. '... heroic single-mindedness.'

Record box. Reaching for the moon - Zeynep Ucbasaran plays Liszt, reviewed by David Thompson

CD Spotlight. Mane-shaking style - Martin Berkofsky plays Liszt, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... playing often as sensitive as one is likely to hear.'

Ensemble. Bold individuality - Malcolm Miller enjoys a performance by an outstanding young Hungarian duo at the Wallace Collection

Whirlwind of activity - Gordon Rumson recommends Charles Barber's book 'Lost in the Stars: The Forgotten Musical Life of Alexander Siloti'

CD Spotlight. Fire and brimstone? - Fabio Grasso plays Rubinstein, and Gordon Rumson raises some serious issues. '... great elan and vibrancy.'

CD Spotlight. Mephistopheles in attendence - The playing of Marina Milic-Apostolovic, enjoyed by Robert Anderson

Ensemble. Spotlight in Miami - Gifted artists at the International Piano Festival, by Lawrence Budmen

Performing practices - Pianist Danny Driver talks to Bill Newman

Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - no composers, thank you!

Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - meanings

Profile. A singing instrument - Martino Tirimo discusses the piano and its music with Bill Newman

CD Spotlight. Constantly thrilling - Frederic Chiu plays Liszt, and Robert Anderson listens. '... magical sonorities and supersonic speeds ...'

Ensemble. Liszt at lunchtime - Eri Niiyama gives a recital in Tokyo's Suntory Hall, and Keith Bramich listens

Ensemble. Hour of Magic - Malcolm Miller is enthralled by seldom-heard East European music

Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey. Daily ritual - Switching nightmares for daymares

CD Spotlight. An aviator of the piano - A unique recording of Russian pianist Samuel Feinberg, reviewed by John Bell Young

Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - the piano

Teenage talent - Malcolm Miller hears Asuka Nakamura at Leighton House, London

CD Spotlight - Poetic best. '... a white-hot listening experience.' Jorge Bolet's rediscovered Liszt recital, by Igor Kipnis

Iberian spice - Malcolm Miller attends a recital by Mats Lidström and Alberto Portugheis

Stage presence - Keith Bramich listens to soprano Anya Szreter in London's Regent Hall

CD Spotlight - Musical eloquence. 'The playing under Alexander Anissimov is as accomplished as the music.' Glazunov symphonies, with Robert Anderson

Beguiling interpretations - Liszt transcriptions in performance - a London début recital, with Malcolm Miller

Planning your collection - Faust, Iona Brown and Percy Grainger

Planning your collection - Stefan Jess and Barbara Moser; Louis Lortie and George Pehlivanian

Planning your collection - Jess and Moser -

Planning your collection - Sam Haywood -

Planning your collection - Luiza Borac -

Planning your collection - Lukas Vondracek -

Planning your collection - Global Fascinations and Sophistications - Schubert's piano works for four hands, Liszt transcriptions, and the piano music of Nikolai Kapustin and Alfredo Casella, with Bill Newman