Search - Liszt, Mitchinson, Horenstein :: Faust Symphony

A famous performance, now in best sound

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 11/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jacha Horenstein expressed a deep love for the Faust Symphony of Liszt, and his Vox recording, released in 1958, makred the work's first appearance ins tereo (along with Beecham's, which appeared that same year). This is a BBC broadcast from 1972, and it has been famous since its inception. I owned a pirate edition on the Intaglio label and cherished it despite the raggedy sonics. Now BBC has reached into its vaualts to give us the original tapes, in excellent stereo. The perspective is close up, which adds to the thrills. The BBC Northern Symphony isn't a major orchestra, but Horenstein inspires them to play with panache and conviction. There are days when I think that the Faust Sym. is hollow, brass-plated junk, but whenever I put on this CD, it seems like a Romantic masterpiece. (Authoritative liner notes from Joel Lazar, Horenstein's assistant at the end of his career.)"

Disappointing

WC van Wyk | Johannesburg, South Africa | 05/31/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Liszt's music is the epitome of Romantic music, fluctuating between lyrical parts and sweeping, rousing sections. Of that his Faust symphony is a marvelous example. I used to have the Riccardo Muti recording on record, and recently came across the Horenstein version on CD for a good price. The comparison between the two left me quite disappointed - whilst there is nothing much wrong with the Horenstein (taking into consideration that it is a live recording), to me it was a mere rendition of notes. The contrast between the lovely lyrical parts and the forceful power of the orchestra in other parts that characterises the Muti recording is sadly lacking here. I will continue looking for another version on CD."