Liszt for Two: Hungarian Rhapsodies for Piano Four-Hands; Mephisto Waltz for Two Pianos. Georgia and Louise Mangos, piano. Cedille Records CDR 90000 052.Liszt for Two: Hungarian Rhapsodies The Hungarian Rhapsodies, S/G244, R106, (French: Rapsodies hongroises, German: Ungarische Rhapsodien) are a set of pieces of music by Franz Liszt, originally for solo piano. for Piano Four-Hands; Mephisto Waltz for Two Pianos. Georgia and Louise Mangos, piano. Cedille Records Cedille Records is the independent record label of The Chicago Classical Recording Foundation — a foundation dedicated to preserving Chicago’s rich musical heritage by documenting the work of its finest musicians, ensembles, and composers. CDR (1) See CD-R and extension. (2) (Call Detail Reporting) See call accounting. (3) (Common Data Rate) A standard sampling rate for digital video for 480i and 576i systems. The rate is 13.5 MHz. See ITU-R BT. 90000 052. We are all more or less familiar with the orchestral arrangements of a half-dozen of Franz Liszt's 19 Hungarian Rhapsodies for Piano, but what is less well known is that he adapted them for piano duos (one piano, four hands), too. Just when or why he made the new duet arrangements is not known, but as the accompanying booklet explains, he did play them with students in his later years. A handy chart in the booklet provides the new numbering of the duos, as well as of the orchestral versions. The original piano solos The piano is often used to provide harmonic accompaniment to a voice or other instrument. However, solo parts for the piano can be found in some musical styles. These can take the form of a section in which the piano is heard more prominently than other instruments, or in which the piano to get the duo and orchestral treatments are Nos. 2, 5, 6, 9, 12, and 14. The Mangos sisters, Georgia and Louise, play the works with appropriate gypsy flair, although it turns out that none of the tunes Liszt employed were genuine folk songs folk song, music of anonymous composition, transmitted orally. The theory that folk songs were originally group compositions has been modified in recent studies. at all but "popular light music that the gypsies had transformed into their own unique performing style." In any case, the Mangos ladies perform it with an effortless spirit, but not without a degree of lyricism lyr·i·cism n. 1. a. The character or quality of subjectivity and sensuality of expression, especially in the arts. b. The quality or state of being melodious; melodiousness. 2. not commonly associated with the pieces. Their manner is a touch lighter, less flamboyant, and more poetic than the best solo interpretations. Of course, for two sets of hands, the Rhapsodies are richer and more full than usual, and they take a moment's getting used to. The coupling of the Mephisto Waltz is arranged for two separate pianos, and it is richer still. The recording is another of Cedille's demo-quality productions, made by the team of James Ginsburg and Bill Maylone. The piano sound is as natural, as well balanced, and as well detailed as anything I've heard, miked at a moderate distance with enough room ambiance am·bi·ance also am·bi·ence n. The special atmosphere or mood created by a particular environment: "The noir ambience is dominated by low-key lighting . . . to ensure a realistic presentation. Now, if you will forgive me for a totally uncalled-for aside: Upon reaching No. 4 in D minor, based upon the popular No. 2 in C# Minor, I couldn't help thinking as I listened to four hands playing the piece of the old Looney Tunes cartoon with Bugs and Daffy trying to outdo one another. No, it bears no relationship to that silliness, but, still, old stereotypes die hard. This is another outstanding disc from Cedille, both musically and sonically. |
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