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American pianist Russell Sherman offers a videography of Liszt's great masterpieces, the Transcendental Studies. Written as studies but also following a thematic sequence – bearing in mind the public performance of these pieces – Liszt reaches new heights in the piano repertoire with these works. Liszt is the epitome of the nineteenth-century artist: wildly diversified in his interests, extravagant in both his public manner and private life, and most importantly, willing to explore even the darkest side of the human psyche. Like many artists from many centuries he was able to move into the highest spheres of society not by his personal wealth but by the sheer force of his talent. Inheriting the force of Beethoven and the lyricism of Schumann, Liszt contemplates the new technical challenges of the instrument that was, in the 19th century, becoming the centre of the concert platform, thanks to composers like Chopin, Brahms and of course Liszt himself.

With extras including interviews with conductor Craig Smith and Christopher Lydon, this DVD of Russell Sherman will surely please those interested in exploring the beauty and intensity of a great performance of these wonderful works.


Franz Liszt
Études d’exécution transcendante

Russell Sherman, piano