Search - Franz Liszt, Michael Halasz, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra :: Liszt: Symphonic Poems

Franz Liszt, Michael Halasz, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
Liszt: Symphonic Poems
Genre: Classical

Track Listings (3) - Disc #1
1. Symphonic Poem No.7: Festklange, S101
2. Symphonic Poem No.1: Ce'qu'on Entend Sur La Montagne (What Is Heard On The Mountain), S95
3. Symphonic Poem No.11: Hunnenschlacht (Battle Of The Huns), S105

CD Details

All Artists: Franz Liszt, Michael Halasz, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
Title: Liszt: Symphonic Poems
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Naxos
Original Release Date: 1/1/2006
Re-Release Date: 7/25/2006
Genre: Classical
Styles: Forms & Genres, Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music, Symphonies
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 747313284627

Synopsis

Amazon.com

Some people call Liszt's symphonic poems over-the-top; some say they're even vulgar. What is certain is that they're high octane, need to be played at high volume, and can stir the blood. Michael Halasz doesn't try too hard to impress/overwhelm the listener and, as a result, any subtleties in the music become clear. Small, inner melodies are stressed, but surely not to the detriment of the works' expansiveness. The big brass fanfares that begin Hunnenschlacht foretell the battle, in 451, between the Christian Emperor Theodoric and Attila; Liszt was inspired by a painting of the event. It's an exciting piece that incorporates a hymn and inspires Liszt the dramatist. Festklänge meanders for almost 20 minutes; there is a fine Polonaise two-thirds through. Ce qu'on entend sur la montagne ("What is Heard on the Mountain") is a half-hour piece that begins interestingly with a bass drum roll and contains some peaceful, bucolic passages but lacks great melodies. The performances are ideal. Turn up the volume! --Robert Levine

CD Reviews

Taking A Chance on Liszt

Timothy Kearney | Hull, MA United States | 09/10/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Liszt's symphonic poem LES PRELUDES is included on a list of classical music's most boring works. There are other great works that are also included on the list, and I'm not sure the inclusion of LES PRELUDES or some of the other works for that matter, is warranted. What I do know is that I have some spectacular recordings of LES PRELUDES and some less than stellar versions and I've come to two conclusions. One is that it does take Liszt more notes to bring a listener to musical excitement. This is not a criticism. Just as some of the great works of literature can be verbose, there are musical versions of literary verboseness as well. Since Liszt can be long and extravagant, I've come to my second conclusion. Those how perform Liszt's orchestral works, conductor and ensemble must be engaged in the work or else it will sag, and be, perhaps, boring. This recording does not sag, nor is it boring, and it caught my attention.

This Naxos recording of some of Liszt's lesser known symphonic poems is performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra under the direction of conductor Michael Halasz. The three pieces included on the recording: FESTKLANGE, CE'QU'ON ENTEND SUR LA MONTAGNE and HUNNENSCHLACHT are compelling musical pieces which demonstrate Liszt's creativity and versatility. There is a feeling to the works and the orchestra and conductor seem familiar and comfortable with the works. While I'm not sure that these works are long neglected pieces begging for a home in the contemporary symphonic repertoire, they are interesting and enjoyable. And if you're like me, always hoping to find something new and interesting to listen to, this collection may be just right. I know I was caught by surprise by how much I enjoyed it and even more surprised that the composer was Liszt.

"