Lewenthal plays Liszt - Mephisto Waltz No. 3 Audio + Sheet music

[StockhausenIsMyCat]

I did not know this recording, interesting! (when was it recorded actually?). This mephisto is also among my favorite: the first mephisto is in a way simpler to approach as a virtuosic performance can be often satisfying. On the hand the "drier" 2nd and 3rd (and also the little 4th) mephistos, technically easier than 1st, require a "visionary sound" which is not always easy to achieve...

[madlovba3]

@StockhausenIsMyCat How true. I've heard a plethora of 1st Mephistos, spellbinding ones, but, besides this one, I have not heard a really good Mephisto No. 3. Albeit I know quite a few ones only; apparently, because of putting the "visionary sound" to the fore instead of the rabble-rousing circus display of virtuosity, most pianists are reluctant to perform this amazing gem... Hopefully Hamelin will decide to record it some day! This outstanding recording was made in Belfast, 5 February, 1967.

[poplife123]

was there an explosion at the end....incredibly difficult piece....i think u need three hands to play this.....great upload thanks

[wolfkuehn]

Amazing that someone is playing this unthankful piece. Technically quite demanding but lacking musicality for a Liszt composition.The ending is something else!

[madlovba3]

@wolfkuehn I strongly disagree with that this piece is unmusical. It is my favourite of the Mephisto Waltzes, actually!

[titusbeertsen]

What an epic ending :)

[madlovba3]

@titusbeertsen Yeah, I love how he blows up the piano there! :)

[PetrichorAllegory]

I'm always struck when listening to late Liszt how his work seems to "presage" certain musical aesthetics and composers of late 19th and early 20th century who would follow; here I am particularly reminded of Scriabin. This is not only a very mystically haunting piece, but also a fantastic recording to match.