Franz Liszt is of course the father of Romantic pianism and his Sonata in B minor is a tour-de-force of whirlwind phrasing and technical demands. Julius Reubke was one of his favoured pupils, whose Sonata in B flat minor is very much in the same mould, and a real challenge to any pianist. Here we present the sonatas of master and pupil together for the first time, admirably performed by celebrated English pianist Anthony Hewitt.
Protégé: Liszt and Reubke Piano Sonatas – Anthony Hewitt
Franz Liszt is of course the father of romantic pianism and his Sonata in B minor is a tour de force of whirlwind phrasing and technical demands. Julius Reubke was one of his favoured pupils, whose Sonata in B flat minor is very much in the same mould, and a real challenge to any pianist. Here we present the sonatas of master and pupil together for the first time, admirably performed by the celebrated English pianist Anthony Hewitt.
‘This is a valuable and enterprising release… to be able to listen to two such fine performances side by side by a player who obviously possesses a strong affinity with this style lends this release a compelling authority. [The Reubke Sonata]’s importance in the repertoire is not fully appreciated, and such a recording as this will win it many converts. The CD notes are informative and detailed and the recording is clean and truthful.’
Robert Costin, MusicWeb
‘He is a remarkably gifted artist… a superb leggiero touch and a beautifully even, silky sound. This account can hold its own with some of the finest.’
Jeremy Nicholas, Gramophone