Liszt: HexamA©ron; Symphonie Fantastique

A memorable tribute!

The well known Franz Liszt's iron hammer style of playing has been for many listeners a virtue by itself; while for others has been the most powerful argument to demonstarte the majuscule difference between Chopin's poetry and the music considered as exhibition vehicle for the galleries.

But, between these two opposite tendencies, Liszt knew to harmonize and maintain the powerful expression at least in what cocerns with the whole Beethoven's cycle of Symphonies and the enigmatic Berlioz 's Symphonie Fantastique.

To preserve the spirit of the work is just by iotself a superb achievement, because among the annals of the musical story this enraptured composition and the way it was composed, not only nourished but flamed still more the febrile romantic spirit of the second half of the XIX Century.

Leslie Howard made the most towering and brilliant performance until this date of this notable and original Op.

His demoniac technique was under the service of the composer without excess of pyrotechcnics, theatrical grimaces or easy concessions.

Recommended! November 2, 2006

"Transcription Fantastique"!

One of the defining masterworks of the symphony orchestra has to be Hector Berlioz' "Synphonie Fantastique" -- its sheer size, larger-than-life range of colorations and effects, and overwhelming emotions make it a work that could only have been written for a modern orchestra. Or maybe .... ? Enter Franz Liszt, the creator of the piano recital, the man described only half-facetiously by Tchaikovsky as the "Wizard of Weimar" ... and perhaps the only person who could transcribe and do justice to Berlioz' monumental work. Using his ten fingers, his uninhibited virtuosity and his uncanny ability to replicate the sound of an entire orchestra on a piano keyboard, Liszt more than does justice to his friend Berlioz in his amazing transcription of the "Symphonie Fantastique." For his part, Leslie Howard, in perhaps the most spectacular recording of his monumental 94-CD series of Liszt's complete piano compositions, gives an electrifying rendition of this work. Listeners, relax and enjoy ... and pianists, eat your hearts out! December 31, 1999

Match made in heaven: Berlioz and Liszt

Liszt's transcription of his buddy Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique is the reason to buy this CD. The rest ain't too shabby, either. Howard's performance is up to his usual high standards. September 17, 1999

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