This section provides
updated information about fugue.us.
3. 31. 2024
My 2021 interview with the Liner Notes Magazine is now available on
line. I discussed Sonetto projects, Nyiregyházi, Norma Fisher, Angelo
Villani, and myself a bit.
https://liner-notes-magazine.com/articles/label-spotlight-sonetto-classics/
3. 4. 2024
We are looking for project sponsors who can support our Nyiregyházi CD projects.
Call for Sponsorship
We are a dedicated team committed to bringing the stories and music of
Ervin Nyiregyházi to life. We are seeking sponsorship from individuals
who understand the value of preserving our musical heritage. By
sponsoring our historical CD releases, you will not only support the
production and distribution of his unique albums but also become an
integral part of our mission to inspire, educate, and entertain
audiences worldwide.
Our next project will be: Nyiregyházi Live Vol. 4: R. Antonioli's House, California, 1973.
We have the original reel-to-reel tape of this recital. The program
indicates that he played Liszt, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, and Schubert A minor Sonata (!),
although we have not yet confirmed that the tape actually contains the
Schubert piece.
As a full project sponsor (4500 pounds), you will receive CD copies and some archival photo prints as
well as recognition in the album booklet, press releases, social media
campaigns, and official web page. Your generous sponsorship will not
only help us produce his albums but will also contribute to the
preservation and promotion of cultural heritage for future generations.
Together, we can ensure that the voice of one of the most idiosyncratic
musicians in the 20th century continue to resonate with audiences today
and for years to come. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities and
how you can support our historical CD projects, please contact
info(at)sonettoclassics.com.
For more details, please visit Sonetto HP.
12.26.2023
I would just like to share a couple of paragraphs from an essay by
Gregor Benko, president of International Piano Archives, that appeared
in the March 1994 issue of Gramophone magazine.
-----
One of the promotional events involved ‘recitals’ of the tapes
(=Nyiregyházi's Liszt recordings) made so far over an expensive system
of speakers installed in a small auditorium in the Foundation’s New York
headquarters.
I took Alicia de Larrocha to that recital, and while she was most
enthusiastic, I do not remember her ever stating she thought he was a
“genius”. An interesting sidelight: after the Ford Foundation taped
recital, de Larrocha and I ran into her old friend Clifford Curzon at
lunch. He was affable and genial until she, spilling over with praise
and enthusiasm for the tape she had just heard. made the comment that
she thought Nyiregyhazi had “the real Liszt sound”. Curzon stiffened,
made a face and left our table hurriedly, saying “Others of us play
Liszt too!"
------
Several years ago, Benko wrote about this incident again for a concert
program dedicated to de Larrocha. In that version, de Larrocha, who was
initially "suspicious of recordings" but "was very impressed and moved
by the tape", said: “The man’s Liszt playing is incredible – he has the
real piano sound for Liszt.”, which was followed by Curzon's furious
reaction.
Incidentally, one might think that de Larrocha had little to do with
Liszt's music, but 10 years ago, I did a blind listening test of 108
recordings of Liszt's B minor sonata. Much to my surprise, the winner
was de Larrocha's Decca recording.
6.11.2023
Jed Distler's radio show 'Between the Keys' (WWFM) featuring Norma
Fisher entitled ”Celebrating Norma Fisher” was broadcast on June 6th and
7th. Now the podcast is available here.
Interviewed by Jed Distler, Norma discuss her teaching philosophy as
well as her mentors Bachauer and Kabos, and Arrau, Ogdon, Annie Fischer,
Sokolov, etc.
For "Nyiregyházi Live Vol. 3", we have seen three good reveiws so far:
Jed Distler's disc review has also appeared in Classics Today.
".....everything comes together in the aforementioned Liszt Legendes.
Nyiregyházi’s expansive shaping of No. 1’s long trills and runs creates
a most ethereal atmosphere, while No. 2 evokes not so much rippling
undercurrents as the mightiest ocean storm."
".....this third volume of Sonetto Classics’ live Nyiregyházi
trilogy is the most compelling document we have of one of the 20th
century’s most difficult yet fascinating piano personalities."
A review by Stephen Greenbank on "Nyiregyházi Live Vol. 3" has been published in MusicWeb International.
"He conjures up some wonderful colourful sonorities in No. 1: St.
Francis of Assisi preaching to the birds. Utilizing myriad pianistic
effects such as tremolos and trills, he paints a radiant impressionistic
canvas of avian gatherings. No. 2: St Francis of Paola walks on the
waves is a hymn of thanksgiving for a safe crossing of the Straits of
Messina. The journey was not without its dangers, and the menacing
chromatic scales bear witness to the event. Nyiregyházi delivers a
reading of great tumult and thunderous power."
"The album will appeal both to fans of Ervin Nyiregyházi and aficionados of the art of piano."
Finally, Mark Ainley wrote an enthusiastic review, which is available here.
".....this new release featuring entire concert by Sonetto Classics
is certainly far more impressive than what we have heard from this
fabled recital before." "Truly mesmerizing and highly individual pianism
miraculously captured 50 years ago today and now available complete for
the first time ever. "
5.14.2023
I've just found this episode of "Between the Keys
with Jed Distler" (WWFM.org), which was aired last November.
In Jed's "ideal" Brahms Op. 116 cycle with a different pianist for each
piece, for Op 116 No 2, he has chosen Norma's recording (Norma Fisher at
the BBC Vol. 3) as "a very personal, exquisitely detailed, and totally
heartfelt interpretation."
5.8.2023
Jed Distler's disc review has just appeared in Classics Today.
"Nyiregyházi’s expansive shaping of No. 1’s long trills and runs creates
a most ethereal atmosphere, while No. 2 evokes not so much rippling
undercurrents as the mightiest ocean storm."
".....this third volume of Sonetto Classics’ live Nyiregyházi trilogy is
the most compelling document we have of one of the 20th century’s most
difficult yet fascinating piano personalities."
5.6.2023
"Nyiregyházi Live Vol. 3: Old First Church,
1973" has been released today. The album is available from