Liszt: Rhapsodie espagnole; Mephisto Waltz; Bénédiction de Dieu

On this CD:

1. Mephisto Waltz (I & II), for piano No. 1 (Der Tanz in der Dorfschenke), S. 514 (LW A189)
Composed by Franz Liszt
Performed by Stephen Hough

2. Tarantella, for piano (Années, suppl. to II/3), S. 162/3 (LW A197/3)
Composed by Franz Liszt
Performed by Stephen Hough

3. Rhapsodie espagnole (Folies d'Espagne et jota aragonesa), for piano, S. 254 (LW A195)
Composed by Franz Liszt
Performed by Stephen Hough

4. Pensée des morts, for piano (Harmonies poétiques No. 4) S. 173/4 (LW A158/4)
Composed by Franz Liszt
Performed by Stephen Hough

5. St François d'Assise: la prédication aux oiseaux, for piano (Légendes No. 1), S. 175/1 (LW A219/1)
Composed by Franz Liszt
Performed by Stephen Hough

6. Bénédiction de Dieu dans la solitude, for piano (Harmonies poétiques No. 3), S. 173/3 (LW A158/3)
Composed by Franz Liszt
Performed by Stephen Hough

Tracks:

Mephisto Waltz No. 1
Tarantella
Rhapsodie espagnole
Pensee des morts
Saint Francois d'Assise prechant aux oiseaux
Benediction de Dieu dans la solitude

Tracks:

Ave Maria
Annees de pelerinage, 3eme annee, No. 2: Aux cyprde la Villa d'Este
Annees de pelerinage, 3eme annee, No. 3: Aux cyprde la Villa d'Este
Annees de pelerinage, 3eme annee, No. 4: Les jeux d'eau a Villa d'Este
Recueillement
La lugubre gondole
La lugubre gondole
Annees de pelerinage, 2e annee, No. 7: Apres une lecture de Dante, fantasia quasi sonata
Die Glocken von Rom: Ave Maria

Customer Reviews:

Magical.......2001-11-23

I'm not sure I can add much to what others have written. I particularly recommend the Benediction de Dieu dans la Solitude. Wonderfully poignant. I bought the first disc soon after it was first released, on its own, in the late 1980s. Some years later someone told me, when I asked why I hadn't seen Stephen Hough around for a while, that he had become a monk! I don't know if that's remotely true. But God would like this rendition too, I think.

Rhapsodie espagñole.......2001-11-14

(Review of the 1988 disc that makes up half this collection)

This is a stunner - some of the best Liszt playing I have heard. The rollicking aragonesca of the "Rhapsodie" inspires Hough to alpine feats of prestidigitation. I laughed with astonishment when I heard it. But for all of his super-pianism, his hallmark is control and refinement of tone. He's very much in the Earl Wild mold. Like Wild, his playing can verge at times on the precious as he strives for too delicate an effect. We never forget, however, that a unique intellect is at work. Our few misgivings pale beside music-making of this stature.

Are five stars enough?.......2000-04-09

Most Liszt recordings seem to feature his glittering and somewhat empty virtuosity. This set, to SH's credit, concentrates more on Liszt's profound musical subjects as well as his pianistic splendor. I listened in awe to the Benediction. In the same way, I was impressed with the St.Fransis and the Pensees. I think Liszt would have been proud to hear his work so well selected and played. The musical world should be happy that SH is a young man still able to record everything with DDD technology. It's a pity this is not the case with V. Horowitz

A rest to my hands, a bless to my ears........1999-09-19

Once I've studied classic piano, then I gave up. Listening now to Hough, I realise how I could never be satisfied with my playing, cause if there's someone like him to play, I'm glad to be just a listener. I have other versions of these songs, but Hough's always seems to me like the original ones. "Aprés Une Lecture de Dante" is my definition of perfection and the rest of the album comes along.

Superb.......1999-05-17

The album contains reissues of two different Liszt recordings, one from 1988 and one from 1992. The later disc is devoted to pieces from Liszt's final years; it is gratifying to finally hear this aphoristic, visionary music performed by a major artist. The 1988 disc contains "mainstream" Liszt, including a reading of the Spanish Rhapsody that is as incendiary as any on record. (In a conversation, Stephen Hough didn't exactly disown this performance, but he attributed some of its exuberance to an "overly enthusiastic" producer.) Hough has become one of the most fascinating pianists on the planet, and the album would be irresistible even without its bargain price.

Liszt: Rhapsodie espagnole; Mephisto Waltz; Bénédiction de Dieu

Average customer rating:

Liszt: Rhapsodie espagnole; Mephisto Waltz; Bénédiction de Dieu

Manufacturer: EMI Records [All429]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000DO0B
Release Date: 1994-08-16

Tracks:

Mephisto Waltz No.1, S.514: Transcription Of 'Der Tanz In Der Dorfshenke, S.110/2
Taratella, S.162/3: Revision Of Venezia E Napoli, S.159/4
Rhap Espagnole, S.254
Pensee Des Morts, S.173/4
St Francois D'Assise: La Predication Aus Oiseaux, S.175/1
Benediction De Dieu Dans La Solitude, S.173/3

Average customer rating:

Liszt: Piano Works

Manufacturer: Virgin Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Stephen Hough Piano Collection
Brahms: Piano Concertos 1 & 2
Stephen Hough's English Piano Album
Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem [A German Requiem]

ASIN: B0002W1244
Release Date: 2005-09-27

Tracks:

Mephisto Waltz No.1
Rhapsodie Espagnole
Saint Francois D'assise: La Predication Aux Oiseaux
Benediction De Dieu Dans La Solitude
Les Jeux D'eau A La Villa D'este
Apres Une Lecture De Dante

Average customer rating:

My Introduction to the Pianism of Stephen Hough

Stephen Hough Plays Liszt

Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Liszt: Années de pèlerinage - Suisse

ASIN: B00000DP3I
Release Date: 1989-05-23

Customer Reviews:

My Introduction to the Pianism of Stephen Hough.......2005-11-28

I'm shocked that this CD has no reviews. Perhaps that's because it was issued in 1988 and thus before Amazon came into being. And I notice that it is now only available from resellers. Still, I want to comment on what a wonderful recital this is. As I said in my title, this was the first disc of Hough's that I bought and it told me that without doubt this young man was someone not only to watch but to follow, because nothing he touches is superficial. My prediction in the late 1980s has come true; he has become one of the greatest pianists before the public today.

This recital combines both three of Liszt's flashy works (Mephisto Waltz No. 1; Tarantella (pendant to the second Année de Pèlerinage); and Rapsodie espagnole) with three of his most contemplative works (Pensées des morts; St François d'Assise: La prédication aux oiseaux; and Bénediction de Dieu dans la Solitude). He manages both kinds of Lisztian writing not only with ease, but with utter mastery.

This is some of the best Liszt playing I've ever heard. He has since recorded other Liszt (the Swiss Année; Une lecture aprés Dante; the Sonata; and others) and has proven himself since this CD was issued to be a magnificent Lisztian.

So, my advice would be to find a copy of this CD, probably at reduced price, and discover these treasures.

Scott Morrison

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

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