Liszt Piano Concerto No.1/Good mp3 sites

[Sergey R]

What are some good sites for downloading mp3s besides Classicalarchives? Because very often, it does not offer the concerto for download and just streams or "one click concerts" or whatever it calls it, or else only in MIDI format. Could anyone give me a list of good sites so I can check around, because it can be very annoying sometimes when I can't find what I want. Also, since I'm currently looking for Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 1, does anyone know where I can download an mp3 file? I've only found MIDI so far.

[kilini]

classic.manual.ru
Mouse over the words and look at the links to see the composers' names. Unless you know Russian or know of some wonderful translation site (Google and worldlingo and etc. suck). You'd have to figure the rest out from the time and stuff like adagio cantabile. It's wonderful, though.

(also illegal, but hey)

[Stolzing]

Here's a site that indexes a lot of different sites that have good mp3 downloads:

https://www.classiccat.net/

I found the Liszt concerto here:
https://stage.vitaminic.com/main/sean_bennett/all_tracks/

[Sergey R]

Ok thanks guys, and yes I've tried that Russian site before and it's also been great. I've also learnt a few words like "concerto" and stuff over the time I've been using it which kind of help me out. And thanks Walther for those other sites, I'll have to try them. Thanks for Liszt.

[Goldberg]

I don't know if you've heard it or not, but be sure to check out the much better 2nd concerto in A major as well! It's fantastic--very concisely written, incidentally, and is only slightly longer than pieces like Totentanz and Hungarian Fantasy, but has 5 or so movements. It's interesting writing and very magical, or fantastic. The famous march section blows me away, and it could well be a triumphant march of certain "magical creatures" (elves, gnomes, unicorns, etc.) that you might imagine throughout the rest of the piece.

I hate to sound offensive over such a trivial thing, but I really don't understand all the hoohah about the first concerto. What makes it so wonderful, except for Liszt's quasi-revolutionary compositional structure? It has a decent ending, yes, but still...

[Daevren]

You need to get Soulseek or something.

Also I payed only 7 euro for Cziffras recording of both concerto's, Totentanz and the Hungerian fantasy. I suggest you do one of those things. It saves you time.

I wouldn't say that the 2nd concerto is much better. IMO the second one has very strong points and weaker points. While the first concerto has a hidden depth to it.

Totantanz is his best piano & orchestra work. Hungarian fantasy has some parts that are terrible harsh or cheesy while other parts are just enjoyable and beautiful.

The great thing about the first concerto from my point of view is firstly, the sheer virtuosity. Second, its structure. Third the beautiful duets in the second movement. Fourth is that the relatively short, compactly structured concerto covers all the stuff that can be done with a piano(well, kind of). Its just a good piano showcase piece. It goes from one extreme to another.

Goldberg, you say you don't understand the 'hoohah'. Maybe there isn't any. But whats wrong with the concerto, ending excluded? I don't think the ending really stands out.

[Sergey R]

I heard Liszt's Second Piano Concerto at a concert a couple of days ago, and I must say it was brilliant! I might look for that CD Daevren, it sounds good. I'll have to listen to Totentanz too and see if I like it. Thanks for all your help.

[Daevren]

I think Cziffra's Totentanz and No 2 are really good. I guess on overall many people will agree that Cziffra's CD is the best to buy. There are some other good recordings. Zimerman recorded No 1, No 2 and Totentanz but not the Hungarian Fantasy.

Maybe some other people can point out other CDs that cover all three (or four) works. I know Richter did an on No 1 and No 2. Brendel did them both, but I can't really say he shines playing Liszt. Rubinstein, Howard etc. And theres a comple more famous people playing all those works. And of course alot less know people but still with alot of great recordings.

I must add that the orchestra part on Cziffra's recording in weaker than on Zimerman or Richter. I guess nothing can be totally perfect.