Schubert-Liszt Erlkonig Berman Rec 1992 .

Erik Eriksson writes, "Hailed by some as the third primary figure among great Russian pianists of the twentieth century's second half, Lazar Berman (1930-2005) has occasionally lived up to that reputation, but frequently has not. Emil Gilels, the first genius-level Soviet pianist to become well-known in the West, insisted that there was one artist, yet unheard in the West, who was the greater artist. Later, after Sviatoslav Richter's arrival in Europe and America, most felt Gilels had been correct. Still later, however, Gilels maintained that yet another pianist, Lazar Berman, was the finest of the three. After the initial stir created by Berman's 1976 American tour and other appearances in the West, critical opinion held that, while he was an extraordinary if uneven artist, he was not superior to the protean Richter or to the clear-minded Gilels. Still, his art was of an order by no means common."
Berman's teachers included. Alexander Goldenweiser, Heinrich Neuhaus, and Vladimir Sofronitsky. (Beck 2)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Sdhubert-Liszt
• Erlkonig
• Berman

[JESUS1John]

good

[paulprocopolis]

I think it was Berman's weighty tone, heard here, that was one of his hallmarks - yet it never sounded like 'bashing'. This is a very powerful and dramatic account. I heard Berman play this transcription live in London's Royal Festival Hall at around the time of this recording - his main rival on that occasion was Kissin who was making an appearance in London's Barbican Centre at precisely the same time!