Franz LISZT - Années de Pelèrinage [PS]: Classical CD Reviews- March 2003 MusicWeb(UK)

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Classical Editor: Rob Barnett Founder Len Mullenger

Franz LISZT (1811-1886)
Années de Pelèrinage: Troisieme Année (51.05) (1877)
Songs (composed 1840s - 1850s): Ein Fichtenbaum sich einsam (3.17); Du bist wie eine Blume (2:46); Im Rhein, im schönen Strome (3.16); Die Vätergruft (6.38)

John Reschl, baritone; May Kay Kapustka, piano
Notes in English. Texts of poems in German only.
Recorded at Denver Center for Liszt Studies, Colorado, U.S.A. December 2001
LISZT DIGITAL LD004 [67.10]

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http://www.lisztdigital.com

Pianist Kapustka writes a gushing first person statement of her commitment to this music of Franz Liszt which she plays with passion, drama, and enthusiasm. Is she the equal of Lazar Berman, Vladimir Horowitz, Aldo Ciccolini or other famous pianists who have distinguished themselves in this repertoire? Not by a long way. There is little struggle in her playing, but neither is there much assurance or grace or overall sense of sweep or design, qualities which Liszt himself possessed in great abundance.

She comes across much better as accompanist to Mr. Reschl. In other recordings of this series where he sings in church with the choir, Reschl is capable and effective. But the close microphone here is not kind to his voice. His tone is unsteady, his intonation at times forced. We become emotionally involved in his personal struggle to produce the notes accurately and are hence distracted from the music itself. If these songs were otherwise unavailable, this recording would be more welcome but at least two other distinguished recordings exist of each of them.

There are better versions of this music available and this CD cannot be recommended.

Paul Shoemaker

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