Anticipating the judgment of history is no doubt presumptuous, but to hear Minoru Nojima is to find irresistible the idea that here is a pianist destined to join the pantheon of keyboard immortals. Nojima has a technique that invites comparison with the most dazzling of the great piano virtuosi, past or present. His playing, once heard, is literally unforgettable.

TAS Super LP List - The Absolut Sound 

• Limited Edition
• Reference Mastercuts
• 45rpm cut for ultimate sound quality
• 2LP 180 Gram Audiophile Virgin Vinyl
• Half-speed mastered by Paul Stubblebine
• Pressed at Quality Record Pressings QRP
• Deluxe gatefold cover

This new vinyl edition includes all the music from the original Nojima Plays Liszt, plus one track from Nojima Plays Ravel.

"Best Recording of the Month" - Stereo Review, May 1988

A great gem from the Reference Recordings catalog, now released for the first time as a half-speed mastered 180g 45rpm 2LP-set, pressed by Quality Record Pressings and packaged in a beautiful old-style gatefold jacket. One of Japan's most internationally respected pianists, Nojima Plays Liszt was named "Best Recording of the Month" by Stereo Review, when it was originally released in 1988, and further described it as, "a stunning demonstration of technique put at the service of profoundly musical ends." 

"Anticipating the judgment of history is no doubt presumptuous, but to hear Minoru Nojima is to find irresistible the idea that here is a pianist destined to join the pantheon of keyboard immortals. Nojima has a technique that invites comparison with the most dazzling of the great piano virtuosi, past or present. Even more, he has a depth of musical expressiveness that one can relate only to the spiritual, to music as an almost religious experience. His playing, once heard, is literally unforgettable..." – Robert Everist Greene, The Absolute Sound

“The pianistic hurdles leaped with incredible fleetness and lightness, punctuated by volcanic outbursts of power and majesty. It was the sort of impossible thing rendered possible only by genius. Repeat: genius." - Albert Goldberg, Los Angeles Times

Given Nojima's artist greatness - and to my mind that is unarguable - it is strange that he is not yet widely known to the American musical pubic, although his reputation is high among American pianists. The reason for his limited public exposure has been his reluctance up to now to make recordings. Fortunately, those who have not had the privilege of hearing Nojima in concert will now have an opportunity to hear him in this, his first American recording.

Nojima Plays Liszt (RR-25) was named “Best Recording of the Month” by Stereo Review when it was originally released in 1988. It was described as “A stunning demonstration of technique put at the service of profoundly musical ends.”

Connoisseurs of great piano playing will love these performances. A reclusive cult figure who records even less often than he plays in public, Nojima is Japan's most celebrated concert pianist and a Cliburn Competition Silver Medal winner. The album includes his highly acclaimed performance of the Sonata in b minor.

Track Listing:

Franz Liszt (1811-1886)

Side A
1. Mephisto Waltz #1
2. La Campanella

Side B
3. Feux Follets
4. Harmonies du soir

Side C
5. Sonata in B minor -- beginning

Side D
6. Sonata in B minor -- conclusion

Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
7. Alborada del gracioso

Click here to listen to samples on YouTube.com ♫