Composer: Franz Liszt
Performer: Daniel Barenboim
Orchestra: Staatskapelle Berlin
Conductor: Pierre Boulez
Audio CD
SPARS Code: DDD
Number of Discs: 1
Format: FLAC (tracks+cue)
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Size: 200 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
01. Piano Concerto No.2 in A, S.125 – 1. Adagio sostenuto assai
02. Piano Concerto No.2 in A, S.125 – 2. Allegro agitato assai
03. Piano Concerto No.2 in A, S.125 – 3. Allegro moderato
04. Piano Concerto No.2 in A, S.125 – 4. Allegro deciso
05. Piano Concerto No.2 in A, S.125 – 5. Marziale un poco meno Allegro
06. Piano Concerto No.2 in A, S.125 – 6. Allegro animato
07. Piano Concerto No.1 in E flat, S.124 – 1. Allegro maestoso
08. Piano Concerto No.1 in E flat, S.124 – 2. Quasi Adagio
09. Piano Concerto No.1 in E flat, S.124 – 3. Allegretto Vivace – Allegro Animato
10. Piano Concerto No.1 in E flat, S.124 – 4. Allegro marziale animato
11. 6 Consolations, S. 172 – No. 3 in D flat major (Lento, placido)
12. Valse oubliée No.1 in F sharp, S.215
Hybrid performances of great beauty and refinement
When I first read of the pairing of Boulez and Barenboim I thought I was misreading the cover. Several questions immediately ran through my mind. How can a hyper modernist composer/conductor like Boulez study and perform two ultimate Romantic warhorse concertos without deconstructing them until they’ve become completely unrecognizable? How can a pianist of such long experience as Barenboim find anything new to say? How can two such strong-willed but utterly different conductors find common ground? I bought the disc out of sheer curiosity such as one experiences when witnessing something strange and different. Liszt as a composer is not one of my favorites but I enjoy the two piano concertos as succinct and brilliant examples of his art.
Barenboim appears to defer to Boulez on this recording. His technique is supple but restrained. He emphasizes the sonorous qualities of the two concertos, playing them as if they were not by Liszt but by Ravel. This, of course, is precisely where Boulez is most at-home and the conductor emphasizes the sheer sonic beauty of the interplay between piano and orchestra. There is no Romantic bombast anywhere to be found in these interpretations. Tempos are broad and expressive while occasionally allowing for passages of urgent instrumental dialogue between the performers. What these concertos lack in fiery temperament they gain in allowing Boulez and Barenboim to engage in subtle manipulation of dynamics and phrasing.
If you are addicted to Liszt the uber Romantic you had best stick to Horowitz and Rubinstein. This recording has its sights set elsewhere. But if a hybrid performance that often exhibits great beauty and refinement is something that intrigues you, then you will enjoy this disc. The (live) recorded sound is crystalline and suave with the piano slightly forward. The woodwinds and horns are especially well recorded with a presence that perfectly compliments the piano.
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