LISZT, Franz (1811-1886)

     Concerti (2) for Piano and Orchestra

        Richter, Kondrashin, London Sym. + Sonata    Philips 446200
        Brendel, Haitink, London Phil. + Totentanz   Philips 426637

        Richter's  is  the recording of superlatives:   superlative
performance,  superlative  presence, and  superlative  tape  noise.
Despite its tape noise, it is the best recording of these works. It
was  released  on  Philips label but was made by  Mercury  producer
Wilma  Cozart  and  engineer Robert Fine in  1961,  with  the  same
virtues that made Mercury Classics legendary.
        Brendel's  performance is in the  same  level  and  Philips
recording, made eleven years later, has low tape noise but  is  not
so  sharp.  If  tape  noise is an issue or you  prefer  the  smooth
Philips sound, this should be your choice.

     Mazeppa, Symphonic Poem No. 6

        Mehta, LA Phil. + Orph. + Huns.         (LP) Decca SXL 6535

        Mehta,  The  Los Angeles Philharmonic  and Decca  engineers
achieved  a perfect balance between brass and the other instruments
in this seldom recorded work. It was never released on CD but it is
easy  to find the rowdy and coarse recording by Karajan. Sooner  or
latter it will be available on CD - it is worth waiting.

     Mephisto Waltz (No.1)

        Scherchen, Vienna St. Orch. + Etc. (LP) Westminster WST XXX
        Solti, Paris Orch. + Prel. + Etc.             London 417513

        The satanic harp solo at the end  and the Cello part at the
beginning  never  were so well recorded as in this old  Westminster
stereo recording so hard to find. It was released on CD as MCA 9832
and as Enterprise Palladium PD 4160, but I only have an LP that was
sold  in  Brazil.  Solti's  recording is  the  only  alternative  I
recommend.

     Les Preludes, Symphonic Poem No. 3

        Solti, Bavarian Radio + Etc.             (LD) London 071207
        Solti, Paris Orch. + Mephisto + Etc.          London 417513
        Mehta, Vienna Phil. + Wagner:Loh.Prels. (LP) Decca SXL 6290
        Kunzel, Cincinnati Pops. + Etc.             Telarc CD 80115

        The  most  popular  of  Liszt  compositions  received  more
attention  from  the recording industry, and there is even  a  good
video by Solti.
        The  gallery  of  engineering  crimes  was  enriched  by  a
recording of Barenboim conducting Chicago Symphony, perpetrated  on
DG 2531054. DG made us a great favor by never releasing it on CD.

© Copyright 2000 Amilcar Schiappe Pereira          End of section L