Best Solo & Concerto Classical Music Recordings – Perfect for Relaxation, Study & Elegant Gatherings

This is a remarkable set. The restoration is by Mark Obert-Thorn, one of the two top specialists in the field, and it shows in the dramatically improved sound over other reissues of these recordings. The Liszt concertant works are the stars of the album. Even the acoustic Piano Concerto No.1 belies its age. (Percussion instruments like triangles refused to record acoustically, but the engineers found a way to make it sound like there was no problem in the finale of the first concerto!) The performances show a virtuosity that belies the age of the pianist. Only Gyorgy Cziffra, 20 years DeGreef's junior at the time of the recordings, takes the runs in the concertos and the fantasia at De Greef's speed. An essential set for anyone interested in performances of Liszt's music coached by the composer himself. We will not hear their like again.