Liszt: Paganini Studies & Schubert Transcriptions Marc-André Hamelin  Hyperion CDA 67370

Once again, Marc-André Hamelin has demonstrated complete mastery over some of the most fiendish piano music ever written: the Six Grandes Études de Paganini of 1851, and a rarely heard set of three Schubert marches arranged by Liszt in 1846.

Hamelin throws himself into the Paganini arrangements with panache and style, unabashedly treating these études as the showpieces that they are. No. 1 (Tremolo) boils and roils with energy like a living creature. No. 2 (Octave) is, by contrast, all poise and elegance. The famous No. 3 (La Campanella) is an astounding display, building relentlessly to its thundering conclusion. No. 4 (Arpeggio) is all effervescence, and Hamelin artfully exploits the narrative qualities of No. 5 (La Chasse). Finally, with No. 6 (Theme and Variations) we return to the “Campanella” theme for a dazzling exploration of wildly contrasting textures. The Montreal-born pianist makes it all sound easy, while at the same time giving the impression there is nothing he cannot do.

The Schubert march transcriptions are remarkable works – but I find the contrasts between Liszt’s brilliant pianism and Schubert’s more intimate music somewhat problematic. I can’t help thinking that Liszt made the Viennese saloniste into something he was not. For Hamelin, this is a practical as well as a philosophical problem – is he to approach these arrangements as works by Liszt or Schubert? His solution seems to be to offer us a mixture of the two: Schubertian simplicity and sentimentality combined with Liszt’s drama and power. The results are perhaps more interesting than satisfying.

Colin Eatock

Editor’s Note: This disc is nominated for a JUNO in the category “Classical Album of the Year, Solo or Chamber Ensemble”.

Concert Note: Marc-André Hamelin is featured in the OnStage series at Glenn Gould Studio on April 8.