JÓZSEF          BALOG

"...József Balog’s playing on this disc is so gob-smacking in terms of virtuosity that more than once I felt compelled to question whether such pianism was truly genuine. 

I’m sure, on reflection, it is, and anyone who queries this pianist’s technical facility should first turn to the final tracks on the disc, Earl Wild’s Études. Balog plays these almost impossibly difficult pieces with such consummate facility and command, such understanding and communicative mastery, as would have earned Wild’s enthusiastic endorsement and admiration. Only the most complete and technically gifted pianists should tackle these études, especially with the existence of Wild’s own dumbfounding recordings as benchmarks, but Balog is in the same class in terms of prestidigitation and musical understanding..."

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Fanfare Magazine - Gershwin Album