Gateways

Risto-Matti Marin · Johann Sebastian Bach · Franz Liszt · Franz Schubert

2016 · ABCD 398

Credits

Performers: Risto-Matti Marin — Piano
Composers: Johann Sebastian BachFranz LisztFranz Schubert

About this release

"Transcriptions from the Romantic era are Risto-Matti Marini's specialty, and that's how this album begins, with Liszt's vision of Johann Sebastian Bach's Fantasia and Fugue in G minor for organ. Liszt transforms the organ texture written by Bach for two hands and feet into a 19th-century romantic concert piano; Liszt didn't aim for baroque authenticity, and Marinka doesn't. The end result is good, the pianist is clearly on his own in their area.
The album's main number is clearly Liszt's Sonata in B minor, which becomes glorious in the hands of Risto-Matti Marin. Controlling the keyboard and the instrument is a natural self-evident for Marin, and he is able to realize his vision of Liszt's reasoned half-hour drama convincingly. Perhaps the most impressive thing is how Marin is able to both stick to his characterizations of the motifs and maintain linear elements, the harmonic structure of the work and long-term tempo relationships, while remaining in the pianist's skilful charm. Expressed more clearly, he is able to build and support the drama in the swirls of Liszt's extremely demanding piano texture."
Yle Klassinen/Ville Komppa 30.9.2016
"Risto-Matti Marin has found his own field in the golden age of full-romantic virtuoso music and pianism, where the most sensitive tones do not always interfere with a performance based on mass and full-body technique. Marin's specialty, transcriptions and the presentation of marginal curiosities, this time are in a secondary role as he takes a bold leap towards the basic repertoire after a long time, with which Marin is no longer a lone specialist. only Liszt's arrangement of Bach's fantasia and fugue completes the album. Marin's special feature is the uninhibitedness and power of playing. There are few pianists who can shake their sleeves like Marin in Liszt's Bach retelling. Marin shows off his wrists in a very un-Viennese way. framille. I don't remember Liszt's sonata in B minor being recorded, but I would definitely remember if it had reached Marin's level. Lyrical or refined would be wrong words to describe Marin's streamlined and purposeful phrasing. There is no such thing as maximum passion and amazing skill that lasts until the end."
Rondo Classic/ Jaani Länsiö 11/2016

Tracks

Fantasy and Fugue in G Minor, (BWV 542), S. 463
1.Fantasycomp. Johann Sebastian Bach; Franz Liszt (1811-1886)ISRC FIABA16003755:42
2.Fuguecomp. Johann Sebastian Bach; Franz Liszt (1811-1886)ISRC FIABA16003765:00
Four Impromptus, Op. 90 (D. 899)
3.Impromptu No. 1 in C Minorcomp. Franz Schubert (1797-1828)ISRC FIABA160037712:18
4.Impromptu No. 2 in E-Flat Majorcomp. Franz Schubert (1797-1828)ISRC FIABA16003784:27
5.Impromptu No. 3 in G-Flat Majorcomp. Franz Schubert (1797-1828)ISRC FIABA16003797:03
6.Impromptu No. 4 in A-Flat Majorcomp. Franz Schubert (1797-1828)ISRC FIABA16003807:58
Sonata in B Minor, S. 178
7.Lento assai – Allegro energico –comp. Franz Liszt (1811-1886)ISRC FIABA160038113:18
8.Andante Sostenuto –comp. Franz Liszt (1811-1886)ISRC FIABA16003827:49
9.Allegro Energico –comp. Franz Liszt (1811-1886)ISRC FIABA16003831:39
10.Sempre forte e agitato – Andante sostenuto – Lento assaicomp. Franz Liszt (1811-1886)ISRC FIABA16003849:52

Reviews

There is much fine playing here, but this performance of the mighty B minor sonata cannot match those by titans of the keyboard.
ClassicalCDReview.com · Robert Benson · February 13, 2017
Read the review (opens in a new tab)
It is one of the most enjoyable versions of this work I’ve heard in some time.
Fanfare · Scott Noriega · February 1, 2018
Read the review (opens in a new tab)
”Romantiikan ajan transkriptiot ovat Risto-Matti Marinin erikoisalaa, ja sellaisella alkaa tämäkin levy, Lisztin näkemyksellä Johann Sebastian Bachin Fantasiasta ja fuugasta g-molli uruille. Liszt muuntaa Bachin kahdelle kädelle ja jalkiolle kirjoittaman urkutekstuurin 1800-luvun romanttiselle konserttipianolle; Liszt ei tavoitellut barokkista autenttisuutta eikä sitä tee Marinkaan. Lopputulos on hyvä, pianisti on selvästi omimmalla alueellaan.
Levyn päänumero onkin selvästi Lisztin Sonaatti…
Ville Komppa 30.9.2016 · Yle Klassinen
”Risto-Matti Marin on löytänyt oman kenttänsä täysromanttisen virtuoosimusiikin ja pianismin kultakaudelta, jossa herkimmät sävyt eivät aina pääse häiritsemään massalle ja kokovartalotekniikalle perustuvaa suoritusta. Marinin leipälaji, transkriptiot ja marginaaliin jääneiden kuriositeettien esittely, on tällä kertaa sivuosassa hänen ottaessaan pitkästä aikaa rohkean hypyn kohti perusrepertuaaria, jonka ääressä Marin ei olekaan enää yksinäinen erikoismies. Tähän kastiin kuuluu vain Lisztin…
Jaani Länsiö 11/2016 · Rondo Classic