Search - Franz Liszt, Arpad Joo, Budapest Symphony Orchestra :: Liszt: Complete Symphonic Poems (Box Set)

Thrilling Liszt performances - an excellent bargain

L. Johan Modée | Earth | 04/08/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Árpád Joó's complete set with Franz Liszt's tone poems is an excellent bargain: here you have the opportunity to grab a bunch of very fine performances, with only a few drawbacks, played with passion and commitment by a Hungarian elite orchestra - Budapest Symphony Orchestra. Sonically, the recordings are very good. While Joó cannot beat the classic interpretations from Scherchen (Westminster), Beecham/Silvestri (EMI), Weingartner (IMG) and Golavanov (IMG), his interpretations are nonetheless very interesting, moving and thrilling, and thus this set is an excellent bargain choice.



Just a few remarks on some of the performances in this box.



Tasso, Lamento e Trionfo. Here I must say that Joó's performance is a complete success. He avoids the bombast temptation that permeates Masur's overloaded version (EMI), and his account is far more arresting that Silvestri's interpretation (EMI).



Les Préludes. This is the super classic among tone poems. Competition is hard to beat, e.g., Fricsay (DG) and Scherchen (Westminster), but Joó's interpretation is very good.



Orpheus. Beecham (EMI) owns this tone poem, with his extremely intense performance. But Joó is not far behind him.



Mazeppa. My first choice would be Scherchen (Westminster) or Golavanov (IMG), but Joó is very good too. Excellent grandeur in supreme sound.



Héroïde Funébre. Joó's patriotic commitment is here unmatched on record, together with Golavanov (IMG). In contrast to Masur, who underplays this poem, he goes the long version.



Hunnenschlacht. Scherchen (Westminster) is unmatched. Nonetheless, this is an excellent, dramatic performance I don't want to be without.



Dorfschenker Tanz, Mephisto Waltz #1. Scherchen and his Viennese band (Westminster) own this poem, but Joó is second in line.



In sum, the only rivals with a complete sets are Masur (EMI), which is consistently dull and misconceived, and Haitink (Philips, two twofers), who also misunderstands the drama and tensions of Liszt's music. So if you look for an excellent complete set with Liszt's tone poems, or just a fine selection, Árpád Joó and his Budapest Symphony Orchestra should be your first choice. But the serious collector should also consider the classic selections from Scherchen (Westminster), Beecham/Silvestri (EMI), Weingartner (IMG), and Golavanov (IMG).

"

A STEAL

L. Johan Modée | 04/04/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Not quite Haitink, but closer to Haitink than Masur (as well as more preferable to Masur). Plus the Budapest Orchestra plays the music as if it were in their blood. All excellent digital recordings (Haitink is analog). AT THIS PRICE: A STEAL!!! However, go for Haitink if price is not the issue."