Listen & tracks
1 of 12 tracks have a preview · 6 works · 65:42
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1 Canzoniere: Benedetto sia 'l giorno (No. 47) Franz Liszt 4:31
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2 Pace non trovo (No. 104) Franz Liszt 5:41
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3 Io vidi in terra angelica costumi (No. 123) Franz Liszt 5:52
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4 Funérailles Franz Liszt 10:51
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5 Mephisto Waltz No. 1 in A major Franz Liszt 10:13
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Sonata in B minorFranz Liszt 7 movements28:34
- 6 Lento assai, Allegro energico 3:13
- 7 Grandioso 3:34
- 8 Allegro energico, Recitativo 3:52
- 9 Andante sostenuto, Quasi Adagio 7:43
- 10 Allegro energico (fugato) 1:40
- 11 [Allegro energico] 1:35
- 12 [Grandioso], Presto, Andante sostenuto, Allegro moderato, Lento assai 6:57
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.
In the artist’s words
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
composer
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
piano
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.
Digital booklet
Digital booklet Notes, texts and credits — read online or download the PDF Download the PDFPerformers
- Ian Holtham · piano
Technical credits
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Contributor
Alan Davison
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Recording Engineer
Martin Wright
Vaughan McAlley
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Venue
Melba Hall
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Thanks to
John McKinlay
Stephen Duns
Details
- List price
- $25.00 AUD
- Total playing time
- 65 minutes 42 seconds
- Release date
- 1999
- Categories
- Classical, Keyboard
- Musical work copyright
- © 1999 Move Records
- Sound recording copyright
- ℗ 1999 Move Records
- Catalogue
- MD 3215
- EAN
- 9314574321524
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