Very Best of Liszt
Showcasing 14 pieces for solo piano, two for piano and orchestra, three for orchestra, and the triumphant final chorus from "A Faust Symphony," this 2-CD set gives the listener a remarkably honest overview of the work of Franz Liszt. Complete pieces are offered and can stand on their own; many will tempt the listener to explore further. For instance, Liszt's transcription of Schubert's "Die Forelle," handsomely played here by Valerie Tryon, can whet the appetite for his other transcriptions; similarly, Michael Halasz leads the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra in a reading of "Les Préludes" that might make new listeners seek out the composer's other symphonic poems. The recordings cover Liszt's entire career, from the 1838 "La Campanella" to the 1881 "Valses Oubliées." If you love Liszt, want to get to know him better, or are just looking for a compendium, this set is a treasure.--Robert Levine