Liszt: Grandes études de Paganini, (Trifonov)

A lovely recording, featuring playing of incredible subtlety and colour, and generally an excellent showcase of the kind of joyous virtuosity that Trifonov is known for. Every piece here is elevated by the playing: The dolorous arcs of No.1, the fulsome, evasive waywardness of No.2, the delicate, No.3, the firefly sketch that is No.4, the melting, multihued warmth of No.5, or rapid-fire bedazzling textures of No.6. Passages that are often played mechanically take on magical changes of colour, tempi are extremely well-chosen (see No.3,4,6), and a feeling of spontaneity is maintained throughout. 00:00 – No.1 in G Minor 05:12 – No.2 in E-flat Major 10:40 – No.3 in G-sharp Minor, “La Campanella” 15:29 – No.4 in E Major 17:22 – No.5 in E Major 20:21 – No.6 in A Minor