PIANO MUSIC - Abeille Musique

CDA66954/6
I should like to record my personal debt of gratitude to my friend and mentor of
almost twenty years, Geoffrey Parsons, whose death in January 1995 robbed us all
of a great and inspiring man, one of the finest pianists of his time, and, I believe,
the song accompanist of all time. It was marvellous to collaborate with him on many
occasions, and a rare privilege to have him contribute to the present Liszt series with
his performance with me of ‘Ad nos, ad salutarem undam’ in volume 17. His
championship of Liszt songs is well known, and he was a valued Patron of the Liszt
Society. He was also a great admirer of Liszt’s Schubert transcriptions, and since his
knowledge of the Schubert originals was without parallel, I took every opportunity
to discuss and compare with him Schubert and Liszt and the manner in which the
transcriptions might be performed to the best advantage of both masters. (Of course
the shortcomings in my recorded performances remain entirely my responsibility.)
We shared many happy musical experiences and discoveries: we worked through all
the Schubert duets which Liszt transcribed as piano solos, and we often sat at our
respective pianos on opposite sides of London, our portable telephones jammed
between ear, chin and shoulder, Geoffrey playing Schubert’s song accompaniments,
I Liszt’s transcriptions, and both of us singing in that arcane manner that pianists
adopt despite themselves—always in tune and in time, but nothing more. His
advice was unfailingly percipient, helpful and encouraging. I shall miss him dearly.
I dedicate all three of these volumes of Schubert/Liszt recordings to the memory of
Geoffrey Parsons.
LESLIE HOWARD