Earl Wild at 88, on the 88s

[@kingconcerto5860]

Earl Wild was a world-class pianist, I wish his recordings received more recognition. His transcriptions are incredible. My favorite Wild recordings are probably the Scharwenka Piano Concerto #1 Op.32, the Thalberg Don Pasquale Fantasy Op.67, and the Liszt Hungarian Fantasy S.123 (Kostelanetz + Columbia Symphony Orchestra). There is also an outstanding recording of Liszt's Piano Concerto #1 S.124 with the same conductor and orchestra... All of his Liszt seems to be outstanding in some way or another actually. His technique was absolutely stunning, truly one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century IMO.

[@jdistler2]

I'm in total agreement with you! Also check out his amazing Rachmaninov Paganini Rhapsody with Jascha Horenstein conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; it's so vividly engineered and stunning played.

[@kingconcerto5860]

@@jdistler2 This was my go-to set of the Rachmaninov piano concerti for years. I was shocked to learn that it wasn't as universally known/beloved as I thought it was initially. The Horenstein + Wild set still contain top contenders for the greatest recordings of concerti #1 and #2, in my opinion; although I do have other recordings that I typically go to for recreational listening nowadays. Either way, it's a phenomenal set that I've always considered to be reference recordings.

[@kingconcerto5860]

@@jdistler2 I also have a physical copy of an old CD from Vanguard Classics titled "The Demonic Liszt", featuring recordings of Wild playing Liszt's "Reminiscences de Robert le Diable-Valse Infernale", "Gnomenreigen", "Mephisto Polka", "Mephisto Waltz", "Reminiscences de Don Juan", and "Waltzes from Gounod's Faust". It's an excellent album which seems to be a bit of a sleeper.

[@jdistler2]

@@kingconcerto5860 The set hasn't been easy to source on physical CD, which may be why you say it's not as known as it should be. One can still find its Chandos transfer via download/stream. However, I preferred the Chesky label's more vivid transfers, but these have long been out of print. For me, No. 1, No. 4 and the Paganini Rhapsody are this set's prizes. I like No. 2 as well, but I wish Wild had not made the standard cuts in No. 3, where I also find him not playing softly enough in many spots.

[@jdistler2]

@@kingconcerto5860 "The Demonic Liszt" was my first exposure to Earl Wild, and what a Liszt disc on which to have imprinted in my childhood. It's still amazing!

[@grantparsons6205]

Thanks so much for your discussion of this wonderful disc. Some pianists mature like a good wine & play in a wonderfully relaxed manner, relishing the sound they are making. Ciccolini & Moravec are two more examples of (underrated) pianists who made beautiful recordings late in their careers.

[@jdistler2]

I couldn't agree more!

[@JohnGavin-hz9bc]

Mr. Wild gave 3 all-Liszt recitals at Harvard in the 1980’s. My strong feeling was that he was far greater in live performance than on recordings.

[@jdistler2]

Perhaps so; certainly he took more chances in concert. Yet his best recordings have stood the test of time wonderfully well. His Rachmaninov Paganini Rhapsody remains my reference version, and I often return to his brilliant Vanguard recital "The Demonic Liszt" with increased pleasure each time.

[@DavidAgdern]

Thanks so much. I’m going to make a point of listening to those recordings.