GYORGY FERENCZI (1902-1983)
Hungarian pianist

Gyorgy Ferenczi is a pianist entirely new to me and I am giddy with excitement.  He was a pupil of Ernő Dohnányi, and of István Thomán who had been a student of Franz Liszt.  He, in turn, was a professor at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest and the teacher of the legendary Gyorgy Cziffra who said of him, "The piano seems to simply blossom in his hands."

He plays Chopin in a manner uniquely his own.  It is exquisite Chopin, sometimes thoughtful, sometimes daring, always fascinating.  His use of contrasting dynamics to represent the question and answer often used by Chopin in his Mazurkas is something I find particularly delicious in his playing of this music.

In addition to being one of the greatest of the unsing pianists of the last century, it is interesting to note that Gyorgy Ferenczi was one of the world's leading bridge players, and European champion in 1938.  I would dearly love to hear more of his Schumann, and his Scarlatti, and his Schubert . . .  and Bach the father.

Couperin, Chopin & Liszt

Couperin  "Soeur Monique"
(02:59) Chopin  Waltz in D♭ major, Op 64 ~1 "Minute Waltz"
(04:45) Liszt  Soirées de Vienne, Valses Caprices d'apres Schubert, S 427 ~6