For those not in the know, pianist Roberto Plano was the First Prize Winner of the 2001 Cleveland International Piano Competition, Finalist at the Twelfth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2005, Prizewinner of the Honens International Piano Competition (Calgary, Canada), the Axa Dublin International Piano Competition, the Geza Anda (Switzerland), Iturbi (Spain) and Sendai (Japan) Competitions (after having won First Prizes in several national competitions in Italy).

Phew! So, as you can clearly see, Italian pianist Roberto Plano has performed all over the world. Plano was also named the “Best Ensemble Performer” at the Honens Competition for his performances with cellist Shauna Rolston and soprano Ingrid Attrot and he was the winner of the "Best Recital" and "Best Performance of a Commissioned Work" prizes at the Dublin International Piano Competition.

Here on this truly fascinating 2CD set Franz Liszt: Harmonies Poétiques Et Religieuses, for his debut on Decca, Roberto Plano has chosen a masterwork that is rarely performed and that has not appeared in Universal’s catalogue for the last 50 years – Liszt’s aforementioned formidable Harmonies poétiques et religieuses.

Plano, who was recently appointed piano professor at Boston University and whose repertoire ranges from Romantic to 20th-century music, is truly at home here on this masterful double album. Thanks to a very strong technique Roberto Plano has often been defined a virtuoso. But he is much more than that, and in fact it’s not virtuosity that is underlined in his performances of Liszt’s music, who remains one of his favorite composers.

Planos' work here on Harmonies Poétiques Et Religieuses shows artistic maturity beyond his years. There is simply a wonderful clarity and control of the art of classically composed performances. He is a genius. Indeed, he is, by far, one of the best ever composers of the modern day when it comes to all-things Franz Liszt. And rightfully so.

www.DeccaClassics.com

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