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I recently purchased these old French casts of the hands of Franz Liszt in bronze.  Many people regard Liszt as the greatest pianist to have ever lived.  His rhapsodies and etudes continue to seperate the men (Volodos, Cziffra, and Kissin) from the boys (Yundi cLang, Watts, and a host of other sad wannabes).  The casts–life sized, of course–were made when he was in his fifties and are exceptionally rare.  They bear the mark of the famous French foundry (contemporary to the day) of F. Barbedienne.  They have been authenticated by comparing close-up photographs of Liszts hands and known casts made at the time of his death.  There are several distinguishing features (scar, mole, deep creases) that appear in the proper locations on these casts.  The hands are known to be casts, rather than sculpted works, because of the manner in which the fingers tips are depressed on a flat surface. 

With them came this fine miniature painting of Liszt on ivory when he was quite a lot older.

Arguably the greatest living pianist, Arcadi Volodos, is missing in action; at least from American concert halls.  One is compelled to ask, “What happened?”  “Why doesn’t Sony Classical promote Volodos or even list his concert dates (albeit in Europe and the Far East) on their website?” 

Thankfully “You Tube” has some videos of this master at work (but for how long?) Here is a link to an interesting video of Volodos in a private home playing Mendelssohn’s Wedding March.

Are we to waste away on a watery broth of Andre Watts and Earl Wild? Are we doomed to be force-fed the faddish cLang cLang and Yundi Li (the Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan of the classical world) as they ride the same hyped up train to nowhere that inflicted Helfgott’s bizarre resurrection on the world?  Deliver us Arcadi Volodos!

If anyone has any information about Arcadi Volodos, please let it be known.  If anyone knows Mr. Volodos and can get a message to him; please tell him this: “Your fans wither for want of a glimpse of the gift you possess.  Please come to the United States.  We can bare this deprivation no longer!”