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Being the first pianist ever to play all (!) of Godowsky's
fifty-three studies (based on Chopin's Itudes) in public by
memory, Franscesco Libetta has always been at his best in
live-performances. After the release of several CDs for Agora,
Libetta's thrilling live-performances remained the secret
of those happy few, who are fortunate to have a video-copy
of his Milan-recitals of 1994. Now, for the first time, everone
can experence his staggering technique and subtile touch,
as VIA contracted Libetta for a series of live-recordings,
including a video of all Chopin-Godowsky Studies in two recitals.
Bruno Monsaingeon, who once called Francesco Libetta "The
greatest virtuoso in the world", will film these unique recitals
in April 2002, as we already reported in January.
On February 27 2000, Libetta's American debut took place
as part of the Miami International Piano Festival of Discovery.
VAI has now released part of this remarkable debut of Italy's
rising star. Unfortunately, only three Chopin-Godowsky studies
have been included on this single CD. Having heard Libetta's
stunning performance of Godowsky's Chopin-transcription of
Etude op.25 # 6 (reversed hands!), I would have loved to see
this one included in the set as well, but I guess we'll just
have to wait for the video.
Libetta's superhuman technique is best demonstrated in his
second encore, Saint-Sakns' "Itude en form de valse", which
is in my opinion the most flawless performance of this piece
since Cortot recorded the piece for the first time back in
the early twenties of the 20th century.
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