Ah, over the summer I regularly listened to both Operatic Pianist albums on my daily beach walks, it was before I’d even rejoined da SDC
You’re right about everyone and Cziffra, they do play well but Cziffra’s sound is inimitable and I suppose they’re wise to opt for a different direction. I avoid using the word inferior because it’s a bit discouraging to be compared to Cziffra on a scale of ‘better or worse’, Even if I feel they’re inferior, Cziffra himself encouraged individuality so unless they can actually capture his magic they’re better off finding their own way, even if it’s shit sometimes
It’s kinda nice to know someone enjoyed the albums… the Robert le Diable paraphrase at the end of the first one is in a way my own Cziffra tribute (I think it’s mixed up with Liszt and Alkan in the final analysis), likewise the Miserere on the second disc.
Facts are facts. In some rep people just are inferior to Cziffra. It’s life and he had that extra intangible something not given to others. We should just enjoy that such a gifted individual existed.
Pianophilia was randomly started by one of my first music friends abroad, Jan Terje Augestad. I used to be very active in the forum, but the place has been restarted several times, and last, I never re-subscribed.
The other forums mentioned here… I’ve barely heard of. My interests have been live recs and music by composer-pianists. I guess I’ve been where that stuff has.
