Search - Franz Liszt, Gianandrea Noseda, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra :: Liszt: Symphonic Poems, Vol. 2

A Truncated Faust

Dewayne Rawlings | Philadelphia, PA USA | 02/15/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Liszt's Faust Symphony is one of the most fascinating scores of the 19th century. An insightful and sympathetic conductor guiding a great and inspired orchestra can leave a profound impression on a listener. Noseda and the BBC Philharmonic fill the bill magnificently. The conductor seems to truly know the heartbeat of Franz Liszt, the composers intentions, and how to achieve the maximum asthetic potential of Liszt's iconoclastic ideas. This recording, like the others in the series, reveals a fine leader and orchestra working at an extraordinary level of music making.

So why only three stars? I would highly recommend this recording if it weren't for one unforgivable feature - the last movement is robbed of its choral and tenor solo finale. Liszt brings the last movement of his Faust Symphony to a redemptive conclusion with vocal splendor. I'm sure this omission is due to economic reasons. But whatever the reasons,all buyers should be aware and avoid this recording just because of this dreadful shortcoming. My only hope is that Chandos does not make the same grave mistake when they record the Dante Symphony."