12 Transcendental Etudes

I have been playing this recording on vinyl for years. This CD version is almost, but not quite, as good to this audiophile's ears. Lazar Berman's mastery of the Transcendental Etudes remains unmatched: fast, flawless, yet passionately romantic.

These are fantastic. The etudes are a perfect vehicle for Berman's dazzling virtuosity. This particular recording has amazing sonics. I have been disappointed by others featuring this artist and was pleased as soon as I put it in my player!

This edition are recommend by the famous music critic David Dubal. .

I still prefer Vladimir Ovchinikov for these, but these are great performances from a great pianist. Sound is a little tinny and dry, but serviceable.

Simply spectacular!

Verified Purchase in the UK This is the 1963 studio recording made in Russia that subsequently achieved Berman’s remarkable reputation in the West and was avidly collected worldwide. Inevitably that included this reviewer too! Berman’s worldwide fame was thus well established long before he even left Russia on tour. There is also a later 1976 ‘live’ set available now but despite the obvious attractions, and following direct comparisons between the two, there can be no doubt for this reviewer that this original 1963 version is the one to have. It simply scores higher on the pure excitement generated. The sound is very presentable for 1963 and well capable of preserving and transmitting the ‘message.’ That message is that this should be in every collector’s library! There are other fine accounts of course. Recent ones include those by Ovchinnikov (1988 and receiver of the coveted Diapason recommendation), Trifonov (2015) and Chamayou (‘live’ recording in 2005). Of these the Chamayou rules supreme as a completely viable alternative to Berman with an alternative expressive agenda done without any compromise of thrill. For sheer physical visual thrill there is the ‘live’ set by Berezovsky recorded in 2002 at the Roque d’Antheron’s specially constructed outdoor studio to deliver optimum visual and sonic immersion. This is a very special performance, technically perfect, sonically superb and visually unforgettable as the sheer physical effort leads to showers and cascades of perspiration. Berezovsky is a man of large stature and the work load is immense but he really delivers musical thrill throughout! Very hard to locate the disc nowadays but well worth the effort! So, for those interested collectors, all the above versions offer tremendous rewards. The indispensable shortlisted standouts of this repertoire must be Berman (1963), Chamayou (2005) and Berezovsky (2002) and all delivered with 'live' frisson. Buy them all!