Kenneth Hamilton Plays Liszt, Volume 2: Salon and Stage review – classics reworked for piano with tremendous verve
Pianistic flair and technical brilliance are the hallmarks of this winning record, in which Hamilton delivers Liszt’s transcriptions of works by Schubert, Wagner and others
May 2023
Emanuel Ax review – quicksilver agility and a model of good musical sense
A recital devoted to Schubert and Liszt perfectly showcased this outstanding pianist’s unfussy approach
August 2022
Alim Beisembayev review – mature and intelligent playing from a future piano star
With a programme of Haydn, Beethoven and Liszt, the Kazakhstan-born winner of last year’s Leeds Piano Competition confirmed that he is a musician to watch
Death and Transfiguration: Kenneth Hamilton Plays Liszt review – liberating and refreshing
This wide-ranging selection of Liszt’s piano music meets its technical challenges with a rare directness and clarity
November 2020
Know the score
From Vivaldi to Vaughan Williams: more musical voices who have changed our world
Over the past few months, our Know the Score series introduced 20 great composers. But what of the many we couldn’t write about? Martin Kettle suggests some other names whose music is well worth exploring
March 2020
Book of the day
Dead Famous by Greg Jenner review – a joyous history of celebrity
From a beautiful ballerina to a 5,000lb rhino, from Byron to Mick Jagger, a romp through the story of fame and fanhood
December 2019
Best music of 2019
Classical CDs of the year: a lost Liszt, Feldman, Clara Schumann and small-scale gems
Significant orchestral recordings were few, but Berlioz, Offenbach and Schumann were celebrated in style, solo artists impressed and smaller labels triumphed
October 2019
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Karabits review – Sumptuous Strauss sees off a lacklustre Liszt
Lighthouse, Poole Liszt’s poetic work merits a listen, but was easily outshone by Hummel and a ravishing Rosenkavalier
February 2019
Franz Liszt: Sardanapalo, Mazeppa review – lost opera of glittering scope
Musicologist David Trippet skilfully reconstructs a Liszt opera fragment, illustrating the composer’s fertile musical mind
January 2019
Liszt: Années de Pèlerinage, Troisième Année review – exemplary command and colour
CédricTiberghien’s selection of later works is thoughtful and he never flaunts his total control of the challenges
August 2018
Prom 61: Rotterdam Philharmonic/Nézet-Séguin review - centenary celebrations see Dutch orchestra in great shape
Liszt’s lost opera: 'beautiful' work finally brought to life after 170 years
April 2018
Bertrand Chamayou review – a formidable Lisztian
The most demanding of the composer’s keyboard works was a bold second-half choice, but Chamayou was up to it
July 2017
First night
Proms get political as Ode to Joy features on first night
Festival tries to avoid controversial statements, but Russian-German pianist Igor Levit sneaked European Union theme through in first hour of season
April 2017
Schumann; Liszt; Janáček; Brahms CD review – an intimate, artful piano recital
September 2016
Liszt: Transcendental Studies; Paganini Studies CD review – delicacy, dazzle and virtuosity
It’s hard to remember that Daniil Trifonov is still only 25. This double CD set reveals his sensitivity as well as his showmanship
June 2016
From the Guardian archive
Franz Liszt, 13, delights Manchester audience – archive
25 June 1825: The performance of Master Liszt was received with a warmth of applause which must have been highly gratifying to his feelings
April 2015
Beethoven-Liszt: Symphonies Nos 4 and 5 CD review – Martynov meets every technical challenge
Khatia Buniatishvili review – rash, immature playing
