A Liszt Recital
Ian Holtham's acclaimed recital showcases works by the great, enigmatic, and quintessentially romantic pianist and composer Franz Liszt. The programme centres on Holtham's masterful reading of the monumental Sonata in B minor.
It opens with transcriptions of three songs to sonnets of Petrarch, then moves through Liszt's tribute to the victims of the Hungarian uprising of 1849, Funérailles, and the devilishly inspired and fiendishly difficult Mephisto Waltz No. 1.
It closes with the monumental Sonata in B minor, perhaps the closest a composer could come to the creation of a musical universe.
Liszt's Sonata in B minor stands alone and gigantic in the piano repertoire. The grandeur and the lyrical power of its themes and its infallible architecture make it the supreme titan of sonatas. Dedicated to Robert Schumann, who had dedicated his great Fantasy to Liszt, the work is conceived as one large scale movement in various sections. The thematic material is tightly unified, being based on the motifs so clearly enunciated in the work's opening. Just as all the sections are in reality one tremendous sweep of a work, so all the themes derive from the opening motifs. This unity of conception within an enormous variety of execution is dazzling. The one essential impetus lies behind the puissant first subject, the lyrical second theme, the incomparably beautiful slow movement theme, the agile fugue subject and the stunning bravura near the work's close. The many moments of formidable virtuosity notwithstanding, this work is perhaps the closest a composer could come to the creation of a pianistic and musical universe, for the Liszt Sonata is certainly its own world.
Reviews
Holtham powerfully, passionately and, where necessary, poignantly performs ... He plays [the Liszt Sonata] with sweeping energy and powerful dramatic shape. ★★★★
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.
impressive ... this stunning CD will attract those who respond to Liszt's vision when it is so tellingly played as it is here.
Artists
Franz Liszt
Franz Liszt (1811–1886) was a Hungarian composer, virtuoso pianist, conductor and teacher of the Romantic era. His vast output reshaped piano technique, invented the symphonic poem and pushed harmony toward the twentieth century.
Ian Holtham
Professor Ian Holtham is one of Australia’s most distinguished and highly regarded pianists and pedagogues. His performances of the great Classical and Romantic repertoire have drawn packed houses and strong critical acclaim for many years.
Audio preview
Tracks
- Canzoniere: Benedetto sia 'l giorno (No. 47) Franz Liszt 4:31
- Pace non trovo (No. 104) Franz Liszt 5:41
- Io vidi in terra angelica costumi (No. 123) Franz Liszt 5:52
- Funérailles Franz Liszt 10:51
- Mephisto Waltz No. 1 in A major Franz Liszt 10:13
- Lento assai, Allegro energico 3:13
- Grandioso 3:34
- Allegro energico, Recitativo 3:52
- Andante sostenuto, Quasi Adagio 7:43
- Allegro energico (fugato) 1:40
- [Allegro energico] 1:35
- [Grandioso], Presto, Andante sostenuto, Allegro moderato, Lento assai 6:57
Sonata in B minor Franz Liszt
Performers
Where to listen
A Liszt Recital is available for streaming through Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.
A Liszt Recital is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.
Product details
- Catalogue number
- MD 3215
- List price
- $25.00 AUD
- Total playing time
- 65 minutes 42 seconds
- Contributor
- Alan Davison
- Recording Engineer
- Martin Wright
Vaughan McAlley - Venue
- Melba Hall
- Thanks to
- John McKinlay
Stephen Duns - Release date
- 1999
- Musical work
copyright - © 1999 Move Records
- Sound recording
copyright - ℗ 1999 Move Records
- Categories
- Classical, Keyboard
- Genre
- Romantic & Impressionist
- Barcode
- EAN 9314574321524
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