DESCRIPTION:
Erwin Nyiregyhazi playing a rare work by Blanchet ('In the Old Turkish Harem Garden'), in his own free version, preceded by a few words by Gregor Benko. Nyiregyhazi was probably the loudest pianist in history (even Horowitz doesn't quite compare) despite not having practised or owned a piano in many years. You can see why his fingers were frequently known to have bled during performances. Pianism doesn't get much more intense than this. Anyone interested in his erratic life (in which he had ten wives) should look for Kevin Bazzana's biography. 'Lost Genius'

I recently recorded his composition Checkmate no. 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzcT2C5ajCQ&feature=youtu.be

See the following link for some audio recordings. The Gretchen mvt of the Faust symphony is essential listening for anyone who believes that 'all he could do' was play loud:

http://www.fugue.us/Nyiregyhazi_discography-3_E.html