FRANCOIS-RENE DUCHABLE PLAYS LISZT

On this page, Francois-Rene Duchable plays Liszt.  Among them are the complete Transcendental Études, the Sonata in B minor, and a number of Liszt's most popular works.  Included are two extraordinary transcriptions of orchestral works by Berlioz, the Symphonie Fantastique and Harold in Italy.

Duchable's mastery of this music is evident in even the most technically demanding of Liszt's writing for the piano.  The clarity and delicacy of passages that were undoubtedly composed with the idea in mind that only Liszt himself might be able to play them is often astounding.

I particularly like the way Duchable plays Liszt's Polonaise.  This is a work with which I have never before really connected.  Perhaps it is due to the tendency most pianists have in trying to emphasize the Chopinesque aspects of the polonaise rhythm.  In this performance, Duchable is faithful to Liszt's vision resulting in a very different conception of the piece.  Rather than being left with the impression that Liszt was unsuccessful in writing a polonaise (alla Chopin), one is treated to wondrous subtleties and depths of expression that, dare I say it, Chopin never imagined in writing his versions of this dance form

Berlioz-Liszt  Symphonie fantastique, Op 14 (rev Duchable)

i Rêvries - Passion
12:48 ➢ ii Un bal
18:55 ➢ iii Scène aux champs
33:22 ➢ iv Marche au supplice
37:48 ➢ v Songe d'une nuit de Sabbat

recorded in 1979