Liszt -- Sonata in B Minor -- Vladimir Horowitz -- Live - 1978

[@Fritz_Maisenbacher]

The man is completely mad . 2:08 ..... ; he was 74 then . . . . this agressivity , this deep frustration , at this age , this is so sad , so terribly human . . . . thank you Vlad for your so honnest and unquiet testimony . And , you are the greatest of all .

[@hyramesshiramess1035]

There are neater, cleaner, more accurate performances of this incredibly challenging beast of a piece, but none more warmly human, more deeply involved, more emotionally committed, more passionate and more filled with unabashed, untempered affection than this. I hear no frustration, no fear, no anguish, only incredible strength, resolve and courage experiencing a kind of joy given to very very few -- a joy that transcends mortal existence. This recording comes closest to any I've heard to giving a realistic representation of the magnificence and glory of the SOUND Horowitz could draw from the piano. I was privileged to hear him twice in Carnegie Hall, and it was only then that I understood why he had achieved such a great reputation. A magnificent artist -- warts and all.

[@marcorotondi7613]

Si è assolutamente vero ciò che affermi....nulla di più emozionante di questa meravigliosa interpretazione!

[@MarcAllenCramnella]

Magnificent! Liszt is the father of modern music.

[@JoePatrych]

I believe that I was the one who remastered this......

[@rbprior]

Thanks for clarifying this. You did a superb job. This is a great recording and thanks to you, Horowitz' historic performance of this masterpiece has been preserved for all to enjoy. I corrected my description accordingly.

[@rubestuh]

Wow! I love this. All VH's febrility, passion and ardour are here. When I heard the 1977 commercial recording, I found it disappointing compared to the classic 1932 reading. But I don't have that reaction at all with this 1978 live reading. The early Horowitz was far purer than the late artist -- but had nothing like the freedom, the size, and the mastery of colour he eventually attained. And here, it all just works. Prior to making the 1977 recording, Horowitz had been playing the sonata in concert -- and a lot of critics found they were more impressed by recent recollections of those live performances than by what he actually committed to disc. I'm guessing that the live performance we have here has a close family resemblance to what they were remembering with such delight. I'm so glad I've encountered this performance. Thank you, RB, for posting it.

[@matthiastamrat7611]

It is a Steinway. He had this specific instrument carried all around the world for many years. It is certainly the Steinway sound but it is more than that. I have never heard another specimen rumbling in that absolutely stunning way. It is certainly also Horowitz but it is also the instrument which is why he insisted on having it hauled around the world.

[@hokulealinda]

Amazing !!! Thank you SOOO much for this !!!

[@jameshandaja1536]

So explosive and bombastic!

[@UrbanVivaldi]

i prefer from far wrong notes with this power than all right notes and bad interpretation

[@brtherjohn]

Fantastic! Thanks for posting!!

[@Pathy1]

Wow!!!

[@nanettezimmerman1891]

is that a steinway or bosendorfer? He plays with such incredible passion. Forceful where it needs it and so lyrical in all the right places. Bravo!

[@Pepsipepsi_]

Sempre supremo

[@Fritz_Maisenbacher]

kisses on dynamite .....

[@kasyapa]

... ! ...

[@cameronferguson4681]

nannette zimmerman. horowitz performed almost if not exclusively on Steinway

[@rbooy3]

Can one imagine that Brahms was present at a Liszt perfomance of this sonata and said "I fell asleep halfway". So ahead of it's time this music is. Pity that Horowitz didn't play the very late Liszt, would've been fascinating as well.

[@calinmatei8519]

the Devil of the piano!

[@lunchmind]

I don't like this. I LOVE it. what a classic recording.

[@pelegrino791]

He makes false notes at every bar. If it wasn't Horowitz people would cry and complain ...

[@alexad506]

..but how many wrong notes!