Among Liszt’s operatic paraphrases and transcriptions, those based on Verdi operas constitute some of the composer/pianist’s most effective and satisfying efforts in the genre. Since Claudio Arrau’s reference recording of all seven can be had only as part of a boxed set, Naxos’ excellent single-disc edition featuring Alexandre Dossin is all the more welcome. Like Arrau, Dossin is a big virtuoso who obtains huge sonorities without banging, and is not averse to underlining Liszt’s expressive directives in red ink, with broad, rhetorical strokes.
At times Dossin’s melodic pushing and pulling is a bit much (the Rigoletto Paraphrase’s exposition), yet more than enough moments reveal the work of a caring keyboard master. For example, Dossin coaxes great tonal variety and emotional impact from the murky low-register passages in the Miserere from Il Trovatore. Also note the I Lombardi paraphrase’s beautifully gilded arpeggios, Dossin’s sense of long-lined control throughout the taxing left-hand octaves in Reminiscences De Boccanegra, or the way he conveys both power and luminosity in the Ernani paraphrase’s bushels of chords. No doubt that Naxos’ ample, detailed sonics enhance my observations. I hope that the label has further projects in store for this talented pianist. [7/17/2007]
