Customer Reviews

Liszt: Sacred Choral Music

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I recieved a recording of Liszt's choral works for Christmas, and was so impressed with it that I decided to buy this one as well.

The Choir of Radio Svizzera has interpreted these tracks so beautifully-I was especially moved by the last track.

Liszt wrote three versions of the 'Via Crucis':

1. Choral

2. For mixed choir, four soloists and organ

3. With piano accompniament in the place of the organ.

The second version is very beautiful and the solo parts of the organ are grandiose, but if you feel in the mood for something lighter-buy this version.

If there is anything to complain about in this CD, it is the pianist. Diego Fasolis' performance is a bit unbalanced while Thomas Trotter in the second version is much more sturdy and moving. And why did the conductor omit the organ part in the third and final tracks? I'm sure that's not what Liszt intended.

Yet the choir is outstanding-so go ahead and buy it anyway. It's worth the price!

One more note:

Keep your eyes out for the recording of the Corydon Singers performing Liszt's Missa Choralis and Via Crucis. Together, these CD's would make an excellent purchase.

This piano accompaniment version of the Via Crucis is remarkable in that it shows how the intimacy of the piano makes for a nice contrast with the bombast of the organ. This is especially apparent in the solos. The writing for piano is amazingly light and sparse, yet effective. The Via Crucis is only now being recognized as the masterwork it always was (it was refused publication in Liszt's lifetime).