Georges Cziffra

about

Georges (originally György) Cziffra (November 5, 1921–January 17, 1994) was a Hungarian virtuoso pianist. Many of his recordings are regarded as controversial, claimed by some to be showy and unmusical. Others regard these attributions as professional jealousy, as there is generally little doubt that Cziffra had a remarkable virtuoso technique and was a master at improvisation. A son of Hungarian Romas (his father, György Cziffra Sr., was a cimbalom player and played in cabaret halls and restaurants in Paris in the 1910s), born in Budapest, Cziffra became noted at the age of five, improvising on popular tunes in bars and circuses. His teachers at the Franz Liszt Academy included Ernő Dohnányi. An attempted escape from Soviet-dominated Hungary led to imprisonment and forced labour in the period 1950–1953. In 1956, on the eve of the Hungarian insurrection and after a stunning account of Bartok's second piano concerto (EMI References) Cziffra escaped with his wife (Soleilka - of Egyptian origin) and son to Vienna where his recital at the Brahmsaal caused a sensation. News of this event reached The New Yorker. His Paris debut the following year caused a furore - his London debut at the Royal Festival Hall in Liszt's first concerto and Hungarian Fantasy similarly. His meteoric career continued with concerts throughout Europe and debuts at the Ravinia Festival (Grieg and Liszt concertos with Carl Shuricht) and Carnegie Hall New York with Thomas Schippers. He always performed wit

top songs

albums

Chopin : Waltzes/Impromptus: Georges Cziffra

Chopin: Walzer & Impromptus

Liszt: 7 Hungarian Rhapsodies

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100 Best Chopin

Liszt:Hungarian Rhapsodies

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Chopin: Polonaises

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La musique classique pour les nuls

Liszt: Trascendental Studies & Mephisto Waltz No. 1

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Liszt: Hungarian Fantasy etc

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Liszt Hungarian Rhapsodies (Cziffra - 1)

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Most Relaxing Classics (International Version)

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Best Classics 100 2 [Disc 3] Romantic Classics

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