COMPOSERS: Liszt/Bruckner/Wagner
LABELS: Vox Legends
WORKS: A Faust Symphony; Symphony No. 8; A Faust Overture
PERFORMER: South West German Radio SO, Pro Musica Orchestra, Vienna/Jascha Horenstein
CATALOGUE NO: CDX2 5504 ADD mono/stereo (2 discs) (later 1950s)
The performance of the Liszt is tremendous; full of urgency and drama in the fast movements and affectingly tender in the slow movement. It is enhanced by an edgy, lemony recording which positively leaps out of the speakers. Unfortunately the Bruckner doesn’t match up; the opening is too rapidly paced and the orchestral playing is very patchy. But the set is worth having just for the Liszt. Ivan Hewett
Liszt/Bruckner/Wagner
The performance of the Liszt is tremendous; full of urgency and drama in the fast movements and affectingly tender in the slow movement. It is enhanced by an edgy, lemony recording which positively leaps out of the speakers. Unfortunately the Bruckner doesn’t match up; the opening is too rapidly paced and the orchestral playing is very patchy. But the set is worth having just for the Liszt. Ivan Hewett
Our rating
4
Published: January 20, 2012 at 3:06 pm