Having recorded more than 120 hours of Franz Liszt’s often demonic piano compositions, Melbourne-born piano virtuoso Leslie Howard was perfectly prepared for the Everestian challenge of Sergei Rahkmaninov’s two might sonatas, plus four exquisite miniatures to give the CD 75 minutes duration.
The result is a twin triumph: for Howard, a technician of awesome capability, and Melba Recordings, which released a disc of astonishing technical purity from the recording sessions in Suffolk’s acoustically responsive Potton Hall.
How 10 flying fingers can produce the sounds Howard makes seem simple at the original Sonata No. 2’s powerhouse conclusion leaves the listener spellbound.