Search - Liszt, Bernstein, Nyp :: Faust Symphony

A blazing reading, famous in its day

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 09/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bernstein introduced a host of composers to the average American music lover, but Liszt wan't oe of htem, who was already firmly anchored with Stokowski. However, when this Faust Sym. came out, one of the record magazines at the time declared that Bernstein must be the reincarnation of Liszt! Not necessarily a flattering remark, but this is a passionate, totally Lenny assault on a piece that is half masterwork and half hokum.



He went on to a remake with the Boston sym. on Dg, one of his rare appearances in later life with the orchestra he cut his teeth on under Koussevitzky. The second recording is better played, has more visceral impact, and is better recorded. As was his wont, LB's tempos slowed down, which wasn't always to the good. In this case, however, he communicated his genuine commitment to the work. I wish I had made notes when I did a comparison with Faust Symphony recordings from Rattle and Chailly. But I do know that Bernstein's DG account was a clear winner, surpassed only by Jascha Horenstein's even more masterful account, now out on BBC Legends."