Ian Holtham's acclaimed recital showcases works by the great, enigmatic, and quintessentially romantic pianist and composer, Franz Liszt.
It begins with transcriptions of three songs to sonnets of Petrach, and progresses through Liszt's tribute to victims of the Hungarian uprising of 1849, "Funerailles", and the devilishly inspired and fiendishly difficult "Mephisto Waltz no. 1". It finishes with his monumental Sonata in B minor, perhaps the closest a composer could come to the creation of a musical universe.
Press quotes:
“Hotham powerfully, passionately and, where necessary, poignantly performs ... He plays [the Liszt Sonata] with sweeping energy and powerful dramatic shape. **** (4 stars)”
— Bob Crimeen, Sunday Herald Sun
“passionate and fiery ... exquisitely crafted ... The recorded sound is wonderful. The way Move has captured the breadth and depth of the Steinway D's sound without losing any subtleties is nothing short of amazing.”
— Lesley Sly, Australian Hi-Fi
“impressive ... this stunning CD will attract those who respond to Liszt's vision when it is so tellingly played as it is here.”
In 1999 Prof Holtham was invited to become the inaugural Head of Studies at the Australian National Academy of Music - a position he held for a year in addition to his position at the University of Melbourne. He is one of the most distinguished and highly regarded pianists and pedagogues in Australia and his performances of the great Classical and Romantic repertoire have played to packed houses and rave reviews for many years.