Lisztomania Vol.2
Hando Nahkur
HN Productions (handonahkur.com)
Hando Nahkur is a remarkable American pianist of Estonian origin. Actually, he has been enthusiastically reviewed on these pages in 2018 – his Lisztomania Vol.1 – and with this Vol.2 I can only reiterate and add to those accolades.
Nahkur’s credentials are too numerous to mention. As soloist and accompanist he has enchanted audiences, won competitions and received international awards. Franz Liszt is his favourite composer, and listening to this recording he certainly does more than justice to the repertoire. In fact since Estonians and Hungarians (and the Finns) are related, coming from the same roots, he must have some Magyar blood in him as he has such tremendous affinity and love for the great Hungarian composer.
According to our pianist the key to understanding Liszt is “from darkness to light” and nowhere is this more apparent than in his iconic Hungarian Rhapsodies inspired by folk tunes he picked up during his many visits to his homeland. Actually Rhapsody as a musical genre was invented by Liszt and later used by many composers. Generally these start out slowly (Lassu’) in the lower registers and gradually work toward sunlight when the pace quickens and turns into some frenetic Hungarian dance like the Csárdás and becomes an extremely difficult virtuoso piece with a spectacular ending. Hando does two of these, No.10 and my favourite No.12, played with gusto, total Romantic abandon and astoundingly perfect technique. Typical Liszt, those grace notes, rapid decorative passages that are cascading up and down the keyboard, paced perfectly evenly and light as a feather. The Liebestraum No.3 is played with loving tenderness and ardent passion and the big guns come out at the end in the Spanish Rhapsody that will lift you out of your seat.
Listen to 'Lisztomania Vol.2' Now in the Listening Room
