Liszt Piano Works Emmanuel Despax

• Franz Liszt (1811 - 1886): Années de pèlerinage, Deuxième Année, Italie, S. 161:
• 1Liszt: Années de pèlerinage, Deuxième Année, Italie, S. 161: No. 7, Après une lecture du Dante (Fantasia quasi Sonata)19:14
• Harmonies poétiques et religieuses, S. 173:
• 2Liszt: Harmonies poétiques et religieuses, S. 173: No. 3, Bénédiction de Dieu dans la solitude20:05
• 3Liszt: Harmonies poétiques et religieuses, S. 173: No. 7, Funérailles13:17
• Nuages gris, S. 199:
• 4Liszt: Nuages gris, S. 19903:29
• Piano Sonata in B Minor, S. 178:
• 5Liszt: Piano Sonata in B Minor, S. 178: Ia. Lento assai - Allegro energico13:20
• 6Liszt: Piano Sonata in B Minor, S. 178: Ib. Andante sostenuto08:46
• 7Liszt: Piano Sonata in B Minor, S. 178: Ic. Allegro energico08:18
• 8Liszt: Piano Sonata in B Minor, S. 178: Id. Andante sostenuto - Lento assai04:15
• Total Runtime01:30:44

Info for Liszt Piano Works

Emmanuel Despax’s eighth release for Signum Classics delves into the dramatic and visionary world of Franz Liszt, from the great Sonata in B minor to the celestail Benediction de Deur dans la solitude. Despax offers a unique perspective on Liszt’s work through a very personal connection to the composer. His musical upbringing is rooted in a lineage of mentors which traces back to Liszt, creating a deep connection to the composer’s legacy. Despax comments “This lineage has deeply influenced my musical upbringing, instilling a unique perspective on interpretation, fostering an insatiable curiosity...emphasising engaging with the score with utmost integrity, without shortcuts or compromise. Above all, this tradition signifies a performance ethos...to serve as a conduit between the music and the audience”.

Emmanuel Despax, piano

Emmanuel Despax
“Poetry fused with breathtaking technical perfection” (Concertclassic) and “A master colourist with genius-like ability” (Classical Source) is how the brilliant French pianist Emmanuel Despax was described after his acclaimed recitals at the Louvre auditorium in Paris and Wigmore Hall in London.

Despax is establishing himself as an artist whose interpretations bring a rare sincerity and imagination to the music. He performs internationally and is regularly broadcast on many radio stations including France Musique, BBC Radio 3 and Medici TV. Recent highlights include recitals in Paris, Amsterdam and a performance of three piano concertos at Cadogan Hall. This concert was recorded live and released on the Signum Classics label. "Emmanuel Despax is a formidable talent, fleet of finger, elegant of phrase and a true keyboard colourist." (Gramophone) Despax is also a regular performer at London’s Wigmore Hall.

In his native France he has appeared in prestigious venues such as Paris’ Salle Gaveau, the Louvre auditorium and the Festival International des Nuits Pianistiques in Aix-en-Provence. Elsewhere in Europe he has given recitals at the Fazioli Auditorium in Italy, the Gasteig Blackbox in Munich and the Palais des Beaux Arts in Belgium.

Having studied in the UK at the Yehudi Menuhin School and Royal College of Music with Ruth Nye, one of Claudio Arrau’s finest students, Despax draws inspiration from a long tradition of pure artistry and uncompromising commitment to the score. His passion lies in retaining and regaining the true role of a performer, as a faithful vessel for the composer’s message.

Now based in London, Despax has performed with many UK orchestras including the City of Birmingham Symphony, the London Festival Orchestra in their Virtuoso Pianists Series at Cadogan Hall and Arion Orchestra at St James’s Piccadilly. In addition to his recitals at the Wigmore and Cadogan Halls, he has also performed at the National Portrait Gallery, the Drapers’ Hall, the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham, and the Chipping Campden and Petworth Festivals.

Emmnuel Despax will be returning to the Wigmore Hall in London on 5th January 2017 where his next Chopin album on Signum Classics will be pre-released.

Booklet for Liszt Piano Works