Presto Recording of the Week
28th August 2020

Gramophone Magazine
October 2020
Editor's Choice

Marc-André Hamelin (piano)

Liszt: Hexaméron – Morceau de concert 'Grandes Variations de bravoure sur la marche des "Puritains" de Bellini', S365a
Thalberg: Don Pasquale Fantasy, Op. 67
Liszt: Ernani '[Deuxième] Paraphrase de Concert', S432
Thalberg: Fantasia on Moise, Op. 33
Liszt: Réminiscences de Norma, S394

If, as Liszt himself dubbed it, ‘Hexaméron’ is ‘a monster’, it’s a monster which certainly holds no terrors for Marc-André Hamelin, and the encounter between them makes for some thrilling pianism. The remainder of the recital—high-octane transformations of nineteenth-century operatic favourites—is every bit as electrifying, from a musician who never ceases to astonish whatever the repertoire.

"If I were allowed a two-word review of this disc, it would read as follows: buy it…He conjures up a rich palette of tonal colours throughout, but to particularly bewitching effect in the two Thalberg fantasies… The execution is so incredibly neat and well ordered, and yet sounds completely spontaneous, like an inspired improvisation…This is a master pianist at the height of his powers." - Gramophone Magazine, October 2020.