Liszt - Sonata in B Minor, S. 178 (Audio+Sheet) [Cziffra]

György Cziffra, piano
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[@amesakurako1]

I’m gonna say it, he is the best Liszt interpreter. He plays closest to the sound of Liszt that I have in my heart.

[@GUILLOM]

I see Liszt, I see Cziffra, I click

[@crcpek9979]

Haha that's so true

[@CziffraTheThird]

They: How much do you revere Liszt and Cziffra? Me: yes

[@ValzainLumivix]

Guitar Guillom

[@GUILLOM]

@Schuyler Bacn hi

[@frederickchopin3894]

@@ValzainLumivix You again?

[@piano345]

Marcel Dupre said after hearing this recording, 'if I were a Buddist and not a Christian, I would say that Cziffra is the reincarnation of Liszt.' It is strange that Cziffra only recorded Liszt's masterpiece once and never performed the work in public.

[@gabrielgabriel8096]

Seriously???😳 Sometimes I can't understand his choices... He was just Supreme (in all aspects, also inspiration) in this work

[@jonrosemann3292]

@Schuyler Bacn imagine being the most virtuosic of his time (my opinion of course) and still being so critical on oneself. What a wild ride that man's life was.

[@stefanocerato6931]

Monsier Marcel Dupre, is TRUE what you said, if I may agree....... :"'if I were a Buddist and not a Christian, I would say that Cziffra is the reincarnation of Liszt.' "!!!!!!!!!

[@gustavobentzen]

Cziffra played very differently from the way Liszt played according to reports from Liszt's time.

[@bryandyer5454]

​@Schuyler Bacn Wouldn't that have been motivation to play it again?

[@CatkhosruShapurrjiFurabji]

8:02 underrated passage

[@_b_moll]

My second favorite part of the piece

[@bobchin5662]

astonishingly beautiful; the raw charisma flaunted leaves one struck in awe of its beauty

[@jackatherton0111]

Anyone know why Cziffra played his compatriot’s masterpiece only once - relatively late in his career and in a studio? Certainly not because this sonata overtaxed his powers of execution or interpretation. You’re not conscious of either in this performance, only of an individual living the Faustian drama, the diablerie and the ecstasy, never forced, never projected, only lived. To have called Cziffra a circus performer (notwithstanding his childhood exploits) willfully ignores the captivating sincerity of this tortured but kind and generous artist. I suspect the Liszt Sonata humbled Cziffra too much, but thank heaven (and the devil) for giving us this recording, and thanks so much for sharing.

[@cziffrathegreat666]

I think Cziffra found this to be a piece which demanded careful touch and tone and constant presence of mind while playing each note. He was ready to devote that for this great recording but would have found it an injustice to the piece if ever played with his usual free (fantastic!) style of playing. Hence, he probably omitted it from his recitals. I keep coming back to this masterful interpretation, I find the deviations from the score and his tempo choices as simply perfect for the piece. There are so many more details that I can't stress more upon, but this will always remain the gold standard recording of this sonata for me.

[@bobchin5662]

brought a tear to my eye, no cap

[@KenWangpiano]

Unorthodox and brilliant- Cziffra does it again. I wish he had played this live

[@veroniquemaestrezaragoza6882]

Liszt, the poet of piano. No doubt about it.

[@sherriemorris7413]

Both Liszt and his good friend Chopin were poets of the piano, but Liszt is usually called the King of pianists.

[@shandfan]

And NOT Alkan,his compatriot I suppose? Well,the story goes,when Liszt startet a recital and noticed,that Alkan was also part of the audience,he was said to be rather nervous.True or not..he was not to blame for that.And yes..Alkan was the neighbour of Chopin (Paris) Strangely enough,dealing with Chopin or Liszt....Alkan's name was always ignored.(can hear you say...for obvious reasons)

[@Dylonely42]

0:00 - 29:15 My favorite part.

[@Nico27901]

You forgot 29:16 the last second

[@thebestmusic7069]

25:11 really very good

[@CatkhosruShapurrjiFurabji]

This, undoubtedly, is one of the most beguiling renditions I have ever heard, but honestly I prefer Zimerman and Katsaris regarding voicing; the way they distinguish between the voicing of the lines is overt. Cziffra, on the other hand, makes the bass reposeful, yet demonstrates consummate accentuation in the bass lines, thereby making it sound serene (without too much vigour), and still conspicuous, which is to inforce a strong and mighty conclusion after Andante Sostenuto into the Lento Assai section. It is notable after the octave section close to the ending in the sonata. This is indeed an epitome of similar tranquil bass accents. Definitely, a stupendous recording of his own roller-coaster with fervent, mature thoughts he put into this piece.

[@1947laurence]

❤❤❤ Thank you very much

[@Felix_Li_En]

Cziffra's brilliant interpretation of the gorgeous octave part (02:08 - 02:45) is always my favourite! Although he didn't follow what Liszt said...😆

[@stefanocerato6931]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ TRUE :"'if I were a Buddist and not a Christian, I would say that Cziffra is the reincarnation of Liszt.' "!!!!!!!!!

[@김현민-i6q]

His performance gives me goosebumps, especially at the final presto part. Thank you for this wonderful recording.

[@thomastsang2507]

So many amazing things here conjured by Cziffra. Never the most orthodox, but surely the most magical.

[@duck_fx]

The best interpretation of this wonderful sonata, Cziffra play this in a beatiful way, without rushing and trying to '' show off ''

[@PorscheGT-yj2me]

Have u listened to Zimermans? That one is also really good and kissins

[@thecozytrader00]

@@PorscheGT-yj2me Yeah! I like zimmerman interpretation too, but i dont like some tempo choices in his performance, gonna take a look in kissin one!

[@PorscheGT-yj2me]

@@thecozytrader00 here’s the link to the kissin performance, kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKvLipqwoZeFjw let me know ur thoughts on his performance! If the link doesn’t work look for his performance in Tokyo 1998 on KZbin

[@szilike_10]

I thought for a long time Andre Laplante's was the best interpretation but after years of listening to this piece I realized it would be a mashup with multiple recordings like Laplante's, Zimmerman, Cziffra, Kissin.

[@RichardWagner-hi4zn]

One thing is clear: Cziffra did not care for Liszt's dynamic instructions.

[@hoyyali1594]

His music was madness!

[@samykurba9886]

This interpretation even more

[@TheModicaLiszt]

This is a truly masterful interpretation, despite some inaccuracies and deviations to the score. Thoroughly exciting, with such dulcet quiet sections and beautiful tone. Notice the subtle details, such as his accentuation of the bass at 27:57 to prepare for the low notes of the Lento Assai. These little things everywhere all compound to a great recording :))

[@CatkhosruShapurrjiFurabji]

I agree, 100%. :)

[@Whaijorhujishkomunyk]

Cziffra was and is the best interpreter of Liszt ever

[@ValzainLumivix]

Ok

[@cziffra11]

To me Fleisher and Argerich blow everyone out of the water in this sonata though, as usual with Cziffra, there are some mind-boggling things in his performance. And it is curious that he never appears to have performed this piece live.

[@MichaelKaykov]

Do we know if there are any live recordings of Cziffra playing this?

[@Bluce]

Michael Kaykov unfortunately there are no, Cziffra only recorded this Sonata one time.

[@duck_fx]

1:08 finally the best tempo in this part

[@Whaijorhujishkomunyk]

Oh ye

[@cunite9263]

Liszt is such a musical genius with all the pieces being hard to play. Are there any composers to this day who can compose like him?

[@Hitherto90]

Given where instrumental music has gone, probably not.

[@fredericchopin6445]

sadly i think not

[@Timeismyrelative]

Kanye West

[@marksmith3947]

Trump had to decide between becoming the greatest baseball player ever, or the greatest pianist. Unfortunately, bone spurs hobbled his baseball ambitions. He did win club championship at his own golf clubs a few times, which shows you what he could have accomplished in the realm of classical music

[@Varooooooom]

Man, Cziffra’s interpretation is so far the only one that really perks up my ears. I need to give Zimmerman’s another listen, now that I’ve also listened to Cimirro, Hamelin, and Katsaris play this. Generally speaking, this Sonata doesn’t really do much for me unfortunately, but a lot of Cziffra’s interpretive choices are so powerful and rich, it’s lovely to listen to.

[@SmeagolTheBeagle]

Interesting how u feel this way. I think if u really learn it throug Zimmerman and maybe agerich (to hear more appropriate replication of the sheet music) then return to cziffra u will fall in love with its untold genius

[@jameswebond4660]

Do not forget to listen to Claudio Arrau, then you tell me what you think

[@johncitizen9540]

Try Lazar Berman

[@johncitizen9540]

Try Emil Gilels

[@KeithWhalen11]

Try Sultanov.

[@thedrinkerful]

Will you do a sheet with cziffra playing chopin? His sonata no 2 and nocturnes are marvellous

[@PianoJFAudioSheet]

I plan to do Chopin in the near future

[@Taaa1216]

シフラはこの曲を明らかにゲーテのファウストとして表現しています。内容を知っていれば目に浮かぶようです。逆に知らなければ、なんだこの気持ち悪いルバートと映るかも知れません。 気になる方はファウストとリストソナタに関する日本語の論文がネットに落ちてるので読んでみることをお勧めします。 その解釈を信じるなら、シフラのリストソナタはこれ以上ない演奏です。

[@zongorapiano9659]

Magnificent!

[@yoyogie69]

25:01 ❤❤

[@hectordanieldiazzepeda5470]

24:50

[@nicholasyanis1348]

I wonder what Beethoven and Bach would think of this.

[@gesu1742]

Absolutely fantastic, not human! Too bad he sometimes distorts what Liszt wrote by a lot, 25:28 for example. That's not rubato or interpretation. I guess it was impressive to be so fiery at that time.

[@pianosenzanima1]

It was Cziffra, and the others.

[@DansenEnSchijten]

If you can play the piano like this, then you are a true pro. But never forget: when it comes to credits, the composer always wins.

[@CziffraTheThird]

It was Cziffra...and the others.

[@PianoJFAudioSheet]

Isn't that phrase copyrighted? ^^

[@mehdiadlany]

@@PianoJFAudioSheet It's a typical comment on every Liszt-Cziffra video :D

[@preludio423]

@𒈙𒈙𒈙𒈙𒈙𒈙𒈙𒈙𒈙𒈙𒈙𒈙𒈙𒈙𒈙𒈙𒈙𒈙𒈙𒈙𒈙𒈙𒈙𒈙𒈙 😂😂😂

[@chazinko]

That's what she said.

[@pianosenzanima1]

It was Cziffra, and the others.

[@nicholasyanis1348]

Imagine playing this for your crush. 0.o

[@cziffrathegreat666]

and your crush would fall asleep because he/she can't make head or tail of it after a while (unless you play like cziffra of course!)

[@950name]

​@@cziffrathegreat666...or because your crush is Brahms

[@duck_fx]

11:40 absolutely chopin here

[@Whaijorhujishkomunyk]

Indeedn't

[@guii8993]

absolutely Liszt*

[@CatkhosruShapurrjiFurabji]

Bruh

[@CatkhosruShapurrjiFurabji]

This is entirely original, what makes you think that it sounds like Chopin? xD

[@guii8993]

@@CatkhosruShapurrjiFurabji idk maybe for some people soft passages=Chopin🤡

[@brotten4396]

magnificent！

[@qin3104]

surely it was cziffra and the others.

[@firoza8994]

6:12 16:19 21:16

[@benharmonics]

What year was this recorded?

[@jackatherton0111]

Apparently 1965

[@benharmonics]

@@jackatherton0111 Thanks

[@chazinko]

1968 in Paris

[@benharmonics]

@@chazinko Thank you

[@thecozytrader00]

Half of these views are mine

[@thecozytrader00]

3 years after, I still came back here from time to time, tremendous performance.

[@Davidfooterman]

I don’t find Cziffra’s performance that attractive but it’s probably similar to how Liszt would have wanted it played, and therefore so be it!

[@pR-ms4cr]

Le top

[@sanjai_s]

18:55, double fugue

[@imdarealani]

25:00

[@benharmonics]

24:34-29:14

[@rickalessi7490]

cziffra is my GO-TO ... favorite pianist ever... but 🤢🤢🤮

[@Timeismyrelative]

Any chance we can talk this out?

[@rickalessi7490]

@@Timeismyrelative For a 30 minute work based on 5 and only 5 themes, I am not convinced by a lot of his phrasing. I feel like it lacks consistency in regards to his use of rubato and that leads us to the fact that some of his transitions could be handled with more care. Also some things are just rushed… Just my opinion. It’s fantastic playing, don’t get me wrong…. But when I’m listening it’s simply off my mark… …. Now, his Brahms Paganini variations, on the other hand…. 🤩🤩🤩

[@tillmanward8481]

Tried to. Google to search a song...idiots apparently haven't unloaded this one...or other classical...not too schooled..

[@AlexanderArsov]

Fascinating, as usual - but ultimately disappoiting, again as usual. Great technique, bar none. But as for musicianship - much is lacking. The Grandioso (3:10) is especially dreadful.

[@jackatherton0111]

Agree about 3:10 and other passages too, but Alexander don’t you find that Cziffra did not seem to relish those moments as much as the more introspective ones? It’s a paradox (as well as a structural fault) that this pyrotechnician, unlike Horowitz, did not live for the big moments; he often flubbed or buried them. For me Cziffra was remarkably honest about his fingers but is chiefly lovable for his heart. Have you seen the French TV Chopin Barcarolle on KZbin (with his son in the audience)? This is the Cziffra I cherish.

[@cziffrathegreat666]

the only one who played it as written without overly slowing down. And personally I love this interpretation.

[@benjaminsawyer1292]

I think he played it that way to keep the music moving. I think it worked quite well. Otherwise it can tend to drag a little.

[@maetes54]

May we now hear your magnificent interpretation?

[@marksmith3947]

​@@benjaminsawyer1292I have to check out that moment, but your comment touches on, what I feel is a triumph here, which is that Cziffra kept the musical thread unbroken for the entire piece - - something even the great pianists don't accomplish in my opinion

[@Dylonely42]

18:46