Friedrich Lips: Toccata, Khatchaturian, 1991

Friedrich Lips, from Moscow, is one of the most sought after concert artists & educators in the world. He performs works written for him by Russia’s leading composers & his own transcriptions of works for other instruments. This Toccata was written for piano, but Lips’ transcription & performance make it his own. I think it sings better on the bayan, then on piano. Lips’ bellows technique, which he invented, make it appear as thought Khatchaturian wrote it for him. I finally met my #1 idol when he came to Canada in 1991 to do concerts and workshops. Notice he plays a left hand 5 row which gives him only 3 rows of free basses for this virtuoso piece. Lips has 26 different CDs available on the net, check them out.