You extend your well-wishes to others: fulfillment, happiness. Yet, occasionally, a raven swoops through an open window, its cry echoing ‘nevermore, nevermore.’ I’ve been a devoted fan of Valentina Tóth ever since she joined a Dutch radio station’s forum and shared her captivating live recordings. Her performances are vibrant, evoking the joy that Marie Kondo might describe. I eagerly acquired her two CDs featuring music by Hungarian composers, anticipating perhaps a rendition of Bartók’s Second Concerto or Prokofiev’s Third. However, for Valentina, the classical world failed to ignite that same spark of joy. As a child, she graced musical stages, but dissatisfied with the trajectory of her life as a classical pianist, she ventured into drama school and blossomed into an award-winning comedian. Now, she tours the Netherlands with her highly acclaimed show, and interviews reveal how this shift has amplified her happiness. Still, a raven circles my thoughts, its mournful cry echoing ‘nevermore, nevermore...’ Well, I can share the recordings. My favorite track? The Christmas pastorale by Dohnányi, performed with unparalleled brilliance—surpassing even Zoltán Kocsis and the composer’s own rendition. Enjoy! 😊
Ernst von Dohnányi (1877-1960)
Track 01 - 07 Ruralia Hungarica, Op. 32a (1923)
Track 08 - 12 Humoresken In Form Einer Suite, Op.17 (1907)
Track 13 Pastorale In A Hungarian Christmas Song (1920)
Recorded 2018
Béla Bartók (1881 - 1945)
Track 14 - 27 14 Bagatelles Sz.38 Op. 6 (1908)
Zoltán Kodály (1882-1967)
Track 28 - 34 Seven Piano Pieces Op. 11 (1910-1918)
Béla Bartók (1881 - 1945)
Track 36 - 38 3 Hungarian Folksongs From Csík, Sz.35a (1907)
Recorded 2012, 2013
Valentina Tóth, piano
