Editorial Reviews

Paul Lewis presents a perceptive reading of Liszt's "Sonata in B minor," as well as several shorter works from later in Liszt's career. Lewis plays with a lot of color and restrained drama. He uses touches of rubato and well-conceived contrasts of dynamics to make the sonata truly enjoyable and not an overwrought piece of pianistic theater. There are moments of smoothly lyrical melody and moments of orchestra-like textures within the sonata, all well-balanced. Liszt's later, short pieces seem strange to many people because of the more adventurous harmonies the composer used, as well as the more pessimistic outlook of the works. Lewis seems to understand the humors of these later pieces. In the opening of "Nuages gris," he doesn't force the chords over the tremolo, but rather blends them with the rumbling to create an overall sense of a glowering sky. The similarly dark or bitter moods of the remaining pieces are temporarily relieved with the "Four Little Pieces" and "En rêve." In the latter, Lewis creates a lovely, delicate, and wispy dreamscape. Lewis doesn't get carried away with the drama or technical flashiness of Liszt's music. Rather, his attachment to it -- his own respect for the music and what he believes it's trying to convey -- is what engages you most and makes you really take an interest in it and enjoy it. Patsy Morita, All Music Guide

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