Search - Franz Liszt, Zubin Mehta :: Liszt: Symphonic Poems

Zubin conducts Bohemian

Brett A. Kniess | Madison, WI | 04/20/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Liszt is accredited with inventing the Symphonic/Tone Poem and these are some of his big ones. Most are inspired by a literary source rather than a visual one, but Liszt paints some very drammatic pictures. This modern recording of Symphonic Poems renders a true picture of Liszt's wild imagination.His most famous, Les Preludes, is played magnificently, featuring a quirky little melody, erupting in a glorious ending.Hamlet and Orpheus are the quieter selections of this recording and played with stunning beauty. The harps of Orpheus bring a brilliant shine to the music, and the drama of Hamlet is wrung-out in a truly revolutionary, yet Shakespearian manner.The two showstoppers, however, are Mazeppa and Hunnenschlacht. In both the brass takes over and blasts away the rest of the program. While both are truly exciting, it is the Battle of the Huns that features organ in a most majesterial manner, on this particular recording, it creates a gothic feeling, adding to the wild Bohemian nature of Liszt's writing.No need to worry, Zubin Mehta, as the wrangler of the Berlin Philharmonic, has let his wild steeds buck in this recording while keeping them fenced in. All aspects of the sound, interpretation, and performance are pristine, with great color and imagination. If you are a true music lover this CD is a must. If you are new to the orchestral music of Liszt this will be far from a disappointment. If you love exciting music in a romantic fashion, click on order this CD."

Getting it right

R. J. Lund | Lindon UT | 05/12/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Les Preludes has been recorded by everybody in a great variety of collections with other stuff, but if you want to hear the rest of the Symphonic Poems, and hear them done right, this is the one to buy. Liszt's melodic creativity is astounding, and Zubin Mehta's interpretations are right on. I especially appreciated his great sense of tempi after hearing the lethargy in another prominent conductor's attempt."

No, this won't do

G.D. | Norway | 12/17/2008

(2 out of 5 stars)

"The Penguin Guide got it exactly right; on this disc Mehta manages to make the Berlin Philharmonic sound like any other second-rate orchestra. There is nothing really to savour here except for the most ardent Mehta enthusiast. Hamlet, for instance, is by many considered one of the best Liszt symphonic poems, but if you encountered it for the first time in this performance, you'll have a hard time figuring out why. Both that one and the other works sound utterly uninspired. Not only are the works consistently played too slowly, there is no sense of musical argument or structure - they all seem to move from one dull episode to another. A disappointment."