Scherbakov - 24 Transcendental Etudes - Liszt and Lyapunov - Konstantin Scherbakov - Piano - STEINWAY - (2019) - CD I - Franz Liszt - (1811-1886) - Etudes d'execution transcendante, S 139 - (1851) - I - Preludio; II - Molto vovace; III - Paysage; IV - Mazeppa; V - Feux follets; VI - Vision; VII - Eroica; VIII - Wilde Jagd; IX - Ricordanza; X - Allegro agitato molto; XI - Harmonies du soir; XII - Chasse-neige; CD II - Sergei Lyapunov - (1859-1924) - Etudes d'execution transcendante, op. 11 - (1897 and 1905) - I - Berceuse; II - Ronde des fantomes; III - Carillon; IV - Terek; V - Nuit d'ete; VI - Tempete; VII - Idylle; VIII - Chant epique; IX - Harpes eoliennes; X - Lesghinka; XI - Ronde des sylphes; XII - Elegie en memorie de Francois Liszt -These brilliant and extremely difficult Etudes were a "work-in-progress' and Liszt started as early as a 15 year virtuoso and finishing re-writing, with revisions to produce these masterpieces. Currently, some pianists are playing them as a complete set; however, throughout the years, pianists have played select etudes from the set especially: Wilde Jagd, Ricordanza, Harmonies du soir and Feux follets. A better terms than Etudes would be Ballads or Fantaisies since they are certainly more demanding than simple etudes for the beginning pianist or middle advanced pianists; likewise, the same comments may be said concerning Lyapunov's also superb Etudes. He worshiped Liszt and wanted to compose 12 Transcendental Etudes in memory of Liszt. He succeeded very well. These compositions also require a great finger dexterity technique and imagination to perform them in the 'grand manner' in which they were most certainly intended.Konstantin Scherbakov certainly is one of the greatest of piano technicians performing today. He brings a brilliance of execution as well as a exciting and thrilling technique to any recital or to any of his numerous cd recordings whether it is the complete works of Leopold Godowsky or select Liszt works or Lyapunov among other composers as well. There is also a subtleness of the musical phrase which is also clarified in his tone in soft passages; moreover, this pianist certainly understands the mood and the art of the musical phrase in making these etudes come alive and they certainly do.The Steinway concert D piano is a finely balanced and voiced instrument; however, the recording tends to be a bit too close and the sound at times overly brilliant. The warm acoustics of a select concert hall would have be better appreciated here; nevertheless, this new Steinway label set brings these two visionary and monumental etudes together into two complete sets on two separate recordings. Decent program notes are here as well.