Liszt Ballade No. 2 in B Minor - Ernst Levy (Score)

A beautiful, fiery and grandoise live performance on March 22nd 1959. So colourful and emotional, now my favourite interpretation, behind Goerner, Nyiregyhazi, Horowitz, Lsistsa, then Volodos. Everything about it is so sublime especially the cantibile section and I love how he takes it very slowly, with lots of utmost care. First of all, the opening chromatic scales in the left hand are beautifully executed with prescision and care for the softness. The difficult and tiring broken octaves in both hands throughout the piece are flawlessly played with lots of power such as at 4:06 which has a perfect combination of RH and LH. At 4:19 the sudden increase in loudness switching hands truly captivates the listener. 5:33 is played wonderfully and the RH has magic. The chords have nice top voicing and I enjoy the uniqueness of how lightly the chords are played when marked an octave higher; it adds soul to the piece. My favourite part of the piece and one of the best Liszt melodies he created is the cantabile section and this is my favourite interpretation of that magical moment. I truly agree with Ashish Kumar that Liszt's Ballade No. 2 should be able to breathe in great interpretations and this shows because of the delicate voiced melody that he takes time with. The scale climax is grande and a great experience to listen to and I appreciate his 13:59 interpretation of the octaves. Very Cziffra-like.
However there are some minor points that I dislike but don't take away from the performance that much: I think 5:06 should definitely be softer and played with more sensitivity and 8:00 the octaves should be played, especially in the chromatic decrescendo should be played softer and less bulky. Goerner's is the best played (Lsistsa sounds better because the piano has 97 keys) and has resonance and offers a much more clean and musical ending to the phrase. The next measure marked Mezzo forte is played FF which I really don't like and he doesn't play the chords in the emotion that I think is more appropriate. 12:40 I personally think there should be more buildup meaning it the RH being played louder, but these are both his choices.
Overall this is an unorthodox performance because of all the dynamic and speed changes, rubato,
etc but thats why I appreciate it so much. With that, he slowly grandly brings out the climax of the piece which sounds great. Goener's interpretation has been my favourite for a long time with the almost unbeatable musicality that Nyiregyhazi and Horowitz are just not as convicing with but I think this tops it with the cantibile section until the very ending. DEFINITELY an underappreciated pianist because of all the impressive soul he puts into his performances and Liszt is no exception.
Recording used: • Ernst Levy plays Liszt...
I do not own the audio
Sheet music from you know where.

[@erikrobinson2547]

8:02 is the loudest mezzo forte I've ever heard lol. Great recording.

[@iianneill6013]

A tremendous artist in his own right - and I don't mean to take away from that - but someone once described Ernst Levy as the closest you could come to an "academically acceptable" Nyiregyhazi - and I think there is truth in this.

[@s.hfredin6851]

When is this recording from?

[@Janeahmon]

1959