Described in 1987 by Yehudi Menuhin as “one of the most generously cultivated of men… He is a musician gifted with enormous talent, both creative to composer and executive – a wonderful pianist”, Louis Kentner settled in Britain where he quickly distinguished himself for his daring and monumental piano recitals. He gave the European première of Bartók’s Third Piano Concerto and, as these recordings testify, was a devoted and untiring advocate for the music of Liszt. His recordings of Csárdás Macabre and En Rêve were the very first to appear on disc. Kentner also championed Mili Balakirev whose Sonata in B flat minor here receives its first recording: “Louis Kentner plays the work superbly, with all the requisite virtuosity yet without any lack of delicate poetic insight” (The Gramophone, August 1951).

William Walton

Facade 1: No. 16. Valse (arr. L. Kentner for piano)

Kentner, Louis, piano


Facade 1: No. 16. Valse (arr. L. Kentner for piano) 00:03:25
Franz Liszt

Csardas macabre, S224/R46

Kentner, Louis, piano


Csardas macabre, S224/R46 00:06:57
En reve (Nocturne), S207/R87

Kentner, Louis, piano


En reve (Nocturne), S207/R87 00:02:22
Mily Alexeyevich Balakirev

Piano Sonata in B flat minor

Kentner, Louis, piano


I. Andantino 00:06:12
II. Mazurka: Moderato 00:04:44
III. Intermezzo: Larghetto 00:04:46
IV. Allegro non troppo, ma con fuoco 00:08:20
Fryderyk Chopin

Bolero, Op. 19

Kentner, Louis, piano


Bolero, Op. 19 00:08:18
Franz Liszt

Annees de pelerinage, 2nd year, Italy supplement, S162/R10: Venezia e Napoli (excerpts)

Kentner, Louis, piano


I. Gondoliera 00:05:51
III. Tarantella 00:09:09
Annees de pelerinage, 2nd year, Italy, S161/R10b: No. 7. Apres une lecture du Dante

Kentner, Louis, piano
Sadlers' Wells Orchestra
Lambert, Constant, Conductor


Annees de pelerinage, 2nd year, Italy, S161/R10b: No. 7. Apres une lecture du Dante 00:16:53



Total Playing Time: 01:16:57