After the pianist examined the relationship between Franz Liszt and Frédéric Chopin on her first highly acclaimed album, the focus is once again on Liszt: the new album features Liszt's realisation of the Liebestod from Wagner's Tristan und Isolde, the arrangement of Bellini's opera La sonnambula by Sigismund Thalberg, and Harold Bauer's arrangement of César Franck's Prélude, Fugue et Variation.
Even before the CD's release date, the Guardian recommended the recording, writing: "Her playing is consistently superb, the programme well thought out. Her selection of opera transcriptions includes one by Liszt's great pianistic rival, Sigismond Thalberg: the Grande Caprice on motifs from Bellini's La sonnambula. It's a huge, audacious piece that must have irritated Liszt, but Batsashvili plays it with charm and ease, as if to say: if you can play this music, there's no need for a duel."
In an interview with Sean Raffery (listen here), Mariam Batsashvili, who has enjoyed particular popularity in the UK since her time as a BBC New Generation Artist, spoke at length about her new CD and her special relationship with the music of Franz Liszt in the context of the BBC programme In Tune.
Mariam Batsashvili, Romantic Piano Masters
Warner Classics, B0B14JLJ6P
