Pianist László Borbély returns to NativeDSD with his 5th DSD release. Songs of Sorrow and Consolation feature his performances of Late Piano Pieces composed by Franz Liszt on a Steinway & Sons Model D Grand Piano.
The new album from Hunnia Records is a Pure DSD release. It was recorded Live in Stereo DSD 256 at SuperSize Recording Studios in Hungary. The album is available at the recorded DSD 256 bit rate as well as Stereo DSD 512, DSD 128 and DSD 64 created in the DSD domain by Tom Caulfield at the NativeDSD Mastering Lab using the Signalyst HQ Player 4 Pro mastering tools.
Hunnia Records says “The purpose of this compilation cannot be much more than giving an insight into the subversive world that Liszt’s last works represent. As we listen to these works, we must look inwards continuously; their transcendental nature is only revealed if we let ourselves be surrounded by this almost otherworldly silence.
The juxtaposed works interact in a peculiar, unrepeatable manner, which is unique to each listening. The compilation therefore does not follow (and cannot follow) any chronological order.
The selection is spearheaded by the Mephisto-Walzer No.3 (1883), whose very beginning is already shocking. The Man of the World, the Artist, the prominent figure of salons, the celebrated personality of his time, the great romantic composer starts his work with such harsh, assertive, dare we say, blasphemous chords?
Although this may sound strange, even after repeated listening, it stems from the puritanical simplicity that is a characteristic of all his late works. The tone of the piece (only seemingly contradicting this) is symphonic; it might even be one of several symphonic poems not prepared for an orchestra. The spirit of the work is almost prophetic. In it, Liszt is very laconic, strictly focused on the essence.”
László Borbély – Pianist
Tracklist
Please note that the below previews are loaded as 44.1 kHz / 16 bit.Total time: 01:01:52
This is perhaps the finest reproduction of solo piano I have ever heard.
Being a piano technician I have my head inside grand pianos all day. That’s what it sounds like.
My hat is off to the piano player and piano tech, the engineering and production process of this album. Sublime.
Phil Bondi (verified owner) –