Piano Forum

Topic: Ashkenazy - Mephisto Waltz  (Read 4180 times)

Offline quirky

  • PS Silver Member
  • Jr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 72
Ashkenazy - Mephisto Waltz
on: November 23, 2009, 10:16:01 PM
I remember reading a short while ago, though I cannot recall where, of a recording by Ashkenazy of Liszt's Mephisto Waltz No 1 that lasts under 10 minutes. Does anyone know where I can find this recording, as I would love to hear this favorite pianist of mine perform such a feat?

Much thanks in advance!
Sign up for a Piano Street membership to download this piano score.
Sign up for FREE! >>

Offline thalbergmad

  • PS Silver Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 16741
Re: Ashkenazy - Mephisto Waltz
Reply #1 on: November 24, 2009, 08:17:50 AM
I am pretty certain i have this on tape, recorded from a friends LP all of 20 years ago.

If my failing memory is correct, there was also a couple of pretty astounding Liszt/Verdi transcriptions, but i might be wrong.

I am not always impressed by Ashkenazy and his disk of the Rach Concertos I actually threw out of a train window in disgust, but this was the best Mephisto Waltz i have ever heard and he completely lets rip in all the right places.

I am not very good at labelling things, but if i find it you can have it.

Thal
Curator/Director
Concerto Preservation Society

Offline argerichfan

  • PS Silver Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 353
Re: Ashkenazy - Mephisto Waltz
Reply #2 on: November 24, 2009, 04:11:49 PM
If I am not mistaken, Ashkenazy's recording of the Mephisto was coupled with a selection of the Transcendental Etudes.  I once heard a few selections from that LP (I don't think it ever made it to CD, did it?), and considering Ashkenazy's reported ambivalence towards Liszt, the playing was spectacular. 

Offline mikey6

  • PS Silver Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 1406
Re: Ashkenazy - Mephisto Waltz
Reply #3 on: November 25, 2009, 03:54:28 PM
Well I've heard that one of the things he regrets now he no longer plays is that he never performed or learnt (not sure) the bmin sonata.
Tehre was a selection of the etudes available on the great pianists edition of him which from what I remember were pretty incredible.
Never look at the trombones. You'll only encourage them.
Richard Strauss

Offline quirky

  • PS Silver Member
  • Jr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 72
Re: Ashkenazy - Mephisto Waltz
Reply #4 on: December 01, 2009, 09:02:56 PM
Excellent news for me to hear Thal! I certainly hope that you can find it!!!! Hopefully for me you shall!

PS Start labelling!  ;)

Offline thalbergmad

  • PS Silver Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 16741
Re: Ashkenazy - Mephisto Waltz
Reply #5 on: December 01, 2009, 09:24:00 PM
I have found it.

For Christmas, I am getting one of those nice little machines that converts tapes into mp3's, so you will have a nice little gift.

Luv

Thal
Curator/Director
Concerto Preservation Society

Offline furtwaengler

  • PS Silver Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 1357
Re: Ashkenazy - Mephisto Waltz
Reply #6 on: December 03, 2009, 06:46:00 AM
Thal, tell me about those nice little machines...I need to by one!
Don't let anyone know where you tie your goat.

Offline thalbergmad

  • PS Silver Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 16741
Re: Ashkenazy - Mephisto Waltz
Reply #7 on: December 03, 2009, 08:38:10 AM
I saw it in the Daily Mail, but me mum took the clipping to buy it for me.

I am sure there will be another one.

Thal
Curator/Director
Concerto Preservation Society

Offline quirky

  • PS Silver Member
  • Jr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 72
Re: Ashkenazy - Mephisto Waltz
Reply #8 on: June 20, 2010, 09:48:52 PM
To the wonderful Thal

I am just wondering after discovering this post again if I could get that MP3 off of you at some stage soon?

Offline thalbergmad

  • PS Silver Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 16741
Re: Ashkenazy - Mephisto Waltz
Reply #9 on: June 21, 2010, 07:24:52 AM
Sorry, I had actually labelled the tape box, but there was a different tape inside.

It is lost.

Thal
Curator/Director
Concerto Preservation Society

Offline pianist1976

  • PS Silver Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 506
Re: Ashkenazy - Mephisto Waltz
Reply #10 on: June 21, 2010, 08:39:23 AM
This was published on CD as part of the Great Pianists Philips collection. I remember that I bought the Ashkenazy CD about 10 years ago. This collection is actually discontinued (what a pity) but can still be found second hand at Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Great-Pianists-20th-Century-Ashkenazy/dp/B00000I93W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1277109339&sr=8-1

 I'd like to post the recording here but I don't think it's legal, it still has copyright...
For more information about this topic, click search below!

Piano Street Magazine:
A Sudden Chat with Paul Lewis about Beethoven & Schubert

Substituting for the suddenly indisposed Janine Jensen, pianist Paul Lewis shares his ideas on his global Schubert project, classical repertoire focus and views on titans Beethoven vs. Schubert. Read more
 

Logo light pianostreet.com - the website for classical pianists, piano teachers, students and piano music enthusiasts.

Subscribe for unlimited access

Sign up

Follow us

Piano Street Digicert