Liszt: Music For Piano And Orchestra 2 / Howard (The Complete Music For Solo Piano) [Box set]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This set includes two novelties. De Profundis is Liszt's longest work for piano and orchestra--36 minutes long. "The work unfolds at an unhurried pace," pianist Leslie Howard writes, a polite way of saying that it meanders interminably. But Sophie Menter's Hungarian Concerto, probably written with Liszt's assistance and orchestrated by Tchaikovsky, is a highly entertaining piano romp. Liszt's arrangements of Schubert's "Wanderer" Fantasy and Weber's Konzertstück don't add anything worthwhile to the originals, but the Second Piano Concerto, Totentanz, and Hungarian Fantasia are all outstanding pieces. Howard and Karl Anton Rickenbacher's performances are alert and exciting, demonstrating that the one flop in volume 1 was an anomaly, and the tone of the piano comes through with thrilling realism and impact. This could be more Liszt than you need, but the best things in it are really worthwhile. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Bargain-priced invitation into Liszt's Musical World.......2003-07-19

Leslie Howard's complete recording of Liszt's Piano Music is surely one of the great musical feats of all time, but not many people would have the desire or time to listen to the whole set. So it is a great thrill that Hyperion has made a 2 disk sampler set available for the rest of us!
It is beautifully packaged, competitively priced and includes interesting notes about Liszt and the works included by the performer himself.

Mr Howard has recorded 145 solo piano CDs, which includes the 95 CDs which make up the complete Liszt piano CDs.

The set includes many well-known pieces, as well as some interesting ones you may not be familiar with.

Highly recommended.

The best of Howard's Liszt.......2002-11-11

This CD, while fulfilling the intent of covering every aspect of Liszt's piano music, also covers all of Leslie Howard's Liszt interpretations and pianistic style. Howard is one of my favorite pianists, and his best playing by far is on his recordings of the Liszt transcriptions of the Beethoven symphonies, which are not included here. However, anyone who wants to get into Liszt should buy this CD before they do anything else. It really is all-encompassing.

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Rare Piano Encores

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
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Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00008JL6H
Release Date: 2004-09-14

Liszt: Music For Piano And Orchestra 2 / Howard (The Complete Music For Solo Piano)

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A musical miracle
Liszt's Concertante music, Part II

Liszt: Music For Piano And Orchestra 2 / Howard (The Complete Music For Solo Piano)
Karl Anton Rickenbacher , Leslie Howard , and Budapest Symphony Orchestra
Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Liszt: Music For Piano And Orchestra 1 / Howard (The Complete Music For Solo Piano)
Liszt: New Discoveries, Vol. 2
Liszt: Harmonies poétiques et religeuses
Liszt Transcriptions of Berlioz, Chopin, Saint-Saëns
Liszt: The Late Pieces

ASIN: B00000G3ZK
Release Date: 1998-11-24

Tracks:

Concerto No. 2 In A Major: Adagio sostenuto assai
Concerto No. 2 In A Major: L'istesso tempo
Concerto No. 2 In A Major: Allegro agitato assai
Concerto No. 2 In A Major: Allegro moderato
Concerto No. 2 In A Major: Allegro deciso
Concerto No. 2 In A Major: Sempre allegro
Concerto No.2 In A major: Un poco menu mosso
De Profundis - Psaume instrumental pour orchestre et piano principal: Andante
De Profundis - Psaume instrumental pour orchestre et piano principal: L'istesso tempo
De Profundis - Psaume instrumental pour orchestre et piano principal: Cadenza del pianoforte - A tempo
De Profundis - Psaume instrumental pour orchestre et piano principal: Allegro moderato (Tempo di polacca)
De Profundis - Psaume instrumental pour orchestre et piano principal: Tempo primo
De Profundis - Psaume instrumental pour orchestre et piano principal: Allegro marziale
Grosse Fantasie 'Wanderer': Allegro con fuoco ma non troppo
Grosse Fantasie 'Wanderer': Adagio
Grosse Fantasie 'Wanderer': Presto
Grosse Fantasie 'Wanderer': Allegro

Tracks:

Allegro energico ed appassionato, ma non troppo presto
Grandioso (un poco menu allegro)
Concerto pathque in E minor - Andante sostenuto -
Concerto pathque in E minor - Allegro agitato assai - Pierato -
Concerto pathque in E minor: Concerto pathque in E minor - Piso - Stretta -
Concerto pathque in E minor: Concerto pathque in E minor - Lento quasi marcia funebre - Andante sostenuto - Allegro mosso - Allegro trionfante
Konzerst F minor (Op 7): Larghetto affettuoso
Konzerst F minor (Op 7): Allegro passionato - Adagio
Konzerst F minor (Op 7): Tempo di marcia
Konzerst F minor (Op 7): Piso - Presto gioioso
Totentanz - Phantasie fnoforte und Orchester S126i: Andante - Allegro - Allegro moderato
Totentanz - Phantasie fnoforte und Orchester S126i: Variation 1 - Allegro moderato
Totentanz - Phantasie fnoforte und Orchester S126i: Variation 2 - Un poco animato
Totentanz - Phantasie fnoforte und Orchester S126i: Variation 3 - Allegro animato
Totentanz - Phantasie fnoforte und Orchester S126i: Variazione fugata
Totentanz - Phantasie fnoforte und Orchester S126i: Alternativo - Allegretto scherzando - Version 4 - 5 - 6
Totentanz - Phantasie fnoforte und Orchester S126i: Variation 7
Totentanz - Phantasie fnoforte und Orchester S126i: Adagio ma non troppo 'De Profundis'
Totentanz - Phantasie fnoforte und Orchester S126i: Allegro - Cadenza - Scherzando - Cadenza
Totentanz - Phantasie fnoforte und Orchester S126i: Allegro con fuoco
Totentanz - Phantasie fnoforte und Orchester S126i: Totentanz - Variation 7 (earlier version)
Fantasie ngarische Volksmelodien S123: Andante mesto - Allegro molto
Fantasie ngarische Volksmelodien S123: Allegro eroico - Pimato - Molto adagio, quasi fantasia - Moderato - Fest
Fantasie ngarische Volksmelodien S123: Allegretto alla Zingarese - Molto animato - Cadenza
Fantasie ngarische Volksmelodien S123: Vivace assai - Prestissimo

Tracks:

Ungarische Zigeunerweisen: Andante con moto - Lento - Tempo 1 - Allegro - Cadenza - Adagio
Ungarische Zigeunerweisen: Andante - Allegro - Cadenza
Ungarische Zigeunerweisen: Allegretto - Cadenza - Andante - Lento
Ungarische Zigeunerweisen: (Allegretto) - Allegro - Cadenza - Moderato - Allegro vivace - Presto

Amazon.com

This set includes two novelties. De Profundis is Liszt's longest work for piano and orchestra--36 minutes long. "The work unfolds at an unhurried pace," pianist Leslie Howard writes, a polite way of saying that it meanders interminably. But Sophie Menter's Hungarian Concerto, probably written with Liszt's assistance and orchestrated by Tchaikovsky, is a highly entertaining piano romp. Liszt's arrangements of Schubert's "Wanderer" Fantasy and Weber's Konzertstück don't add anything worthwhile to the originals, but the Second Piano Concerto, Totentanz, and Hungarian Fantasia are all outstanding pieces. Howard and Karl Anton Rickenbacher's performances are alert and exciting, demonstrating that the one flop in volume 1 was an anomaly, and the tone of the piano comes through with thrilling realism and impact. This could be more Liszt than you need, but the best things in it are really worthwhile. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

A musical miracle.......2004-08-24

This 2-CD set is full of known and less known, but always outstanding and very musically performed works for piano and orchestra by Franz Liszt. The great surprise for me was the de-Profundis Concerto which is usually listed as an "unfinished" work. Lesley Howard finished it in such a masterful and congenial way that I was not able to distinguish the additions from the original. The de-profundis theme is, of course, known from the piano piece "Pensees des morts", but this seems to be the only published appearance of this beautiful theme which shows Liszt's incredible harmonic powers. For someone who likes this theme it is a revelation to meet it in its first elaboration in this concerto by young Liszt, already displaying all his splendid harmonic colors.
A second surprise is on the second CD. The well-known "Totentanz" has a de-Profundis version, with another appearance of this haunting theme!
These two concertos would alone make buying this set a must for all admirers of Liszt.
Lesley Howard deserves our gratitude also for his painstaking
scholarship in recording all the published and unpublished works of Franz Liszt.
Helmut Moritz

Liszt's Concertante music, Part II.......2002-12-23

If the first volume was great, THIS volume tops that with even more rarities, including the original "Totentanz" with an alternate opening and finale (and even an alternate variation insert included as a seperate track), the long-lost "De Profundis" Fantasy (Of which its manuscript Howard himself had to complete the last few measures), the concertante version of Schubert's "Wanderer Fantasie" that Liszt re-arranged with a symphonic part, Weber's "Konzertstuck in F", where Liszt took the liberty of rewriting the piano part (but leaving the orchestral arrangement intact), and several other treats including all-new recordings of Concerto #2 and Hungarian Fantasy.
But there's a third disc that features the biggest curiosity of all: a concerto believed to be written by Sophie Menter with the guiding assistance of Liszt, then orchestrated by none other than Tchaikovsky! Howard explains some of the details in the liner notes.
Again, yet another MUST HAVE if you're a lover of this music!

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Rare Piano Encores

Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002ZGY
Release Date: 1993-11-11

Liszt: Fantasy, Variations, Funeral Odes, Concert Solo

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Stunning and powerful
Between Earth and Heaven
Another stunner

Liszt: Fantasy, Variations, Funeral Odes, Concert Solo

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002ZKZ
Release Date: 1993-11-15

Tracks:

Fantasie Und Fuge S529
Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen S179
Variationen Uber Das Motiv Von Bach S180
Trois Odes Funebres: Les Morts - Oraison S516
Trois Odes Funebres: La Notte S699
Trois Odes Funebres: Le Triomphe Funebre du Tasse S517
Grosses Konzertsolo S176

Customer Reviews:

Stunning and powerful.......2006-08-26

Leslie Howard has produced an amazing recording here. This being Vol. 3 out of 59 or so, it is an exemplary achievement. Amidst the incessantly irritating piano recital discs out there with the usual Liszt pop-played-to-death stuff like the Liebestraume No. 3, Un Sospiro, Mazeppa, La Campanella, Nuages Gris, it's nice to have Howard come along and triumphantly show us that there are much more and FAR superior works from the great Hungarian master.

This CD is stellar in promulgating such lesser known works of Liszt, which, to me, are monumental and compositionally great. Listening to the Fantasie and Fugue on the Theme of B-A-C-H is sure to send your mind to another strata of contemplation. What's more, is that you're basically hearing the heaviest most storming of Liszt's entire works. I hope Howard's piano survived the assault, but it sounds like the most violent 10 minutes of attacking the piano I could ever imagine. Anyone familiar with the work should know that I don't intend to say it's all bombast and nothing more; quite the contrary. Liszt's unique style was to shape layers of music with the most mind-blowing virtuosity and dramatic embellishment. Honestly, I prefer Michael Ponti's crisp and even *more* violent and faster interpretation found on the Naxos label. Nevertheless, Howard plays with a more organ-like sonority, convincing me that there are lower registers in the piano than I even knew about. This is a masterpiece and must be heard.

The Prelude to the Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen is the only tame "break" from a colossal stream of heavy works, so enjoy the serene counterpoint because the Variations that come later prove to be the most dramatic and powerful augmentations of Bach; not even Busoni or Godowsky compare. Certain intervals in the music float gracefully and linger with quiet contrapuntal ideas, but only to gradually build up to the most explosive and infused Bach I've ever heard: Lisztian grandeur and emotion make Bach ("brook" in german) into Vulkan ("volcano"). And beneath these forte passages and fiery expressions are some of the most subtle and beautiful melodies. Without a doubt, this is the most extreme take on Bach, tempered by a fine articulation of the tranquillity behind the actual music.

The Trois Odes Funebres are some of Liszt's finest piano music and Howard gives some excellent executions here, especially the Triomphe Funebre du Tasse. Although I prefer Philip Thomson's (Naxos pianist) take on the First ode, "Les Morts," Howard is still to be commended for being the first to make it accessible to listeners. "Les Morts" is exquisitely soft music fashioned together with some extremely sensational exclamations in the second half. "La Notte" is the most profoundly haunting of them all, perfectly fitting music to be considered a "funeral ode." Lisztians may, of course, recognize the single repeated theme from the "Il Penseroso" of the Annees de Pelerinage. In between this recognizable theme is a slow and angelic interlude, making this entire work almost identical in structure with Chopin's "Funeral March" from his Piano Sonata No. 2.

"Le Triomphe Funebre du Tasse" is sheer brilliance on Liszt's side. The music exhibits such ranges of emotions; it sounds incredibly original. Romantic passages reminiscent to the Tristan and Isolde love-death scene glide like a ghostly adagio, a prelude to some roaring music of ecstasy and literal "triumph" over death. I believe this is the only recording available on amazon that features these three funeral odes together, so I definitely recommend this CD.

But there is one more piece to praise: the Grosses Konzertsolo. The ubiquitous pianists out there hustling to put the legendary Piano Sonata in B minor on their recording fail to realize there is a Piano Sonata in B minor junior out there. The Grosses Konzertsolo was later arranged by Liszt into the Concerto Pathetique, but it exists here as a wholly original and superlative work. This being the first time I heard it, I was simply stunned. Clara Schumann apparently thought little of it, but there is an astoundingly effective mixture of piano effects and dynamics here which makes for a hell of a ride. Thunderous and poignant, Liszt crafts the music into a giant panorama of emotions. Clashes of octaves and piano chords make my hair stand up, but then all of a sudden there are passages of delicate arpeggios sweeping across the keys like mystical whispers. This is a work of superior musicality; simple but powerful.

Bottom line: This recording is a must have for any Lisztian or pianophile. Anyone who remotely enjoys Romantic period piano or even the 19th and 20th century Bach transcriptions for piano will find a most rewarding experience here. Digest the superb music on this CD. I highly recommend it.

Between Earth and Heaven.......2005-04-03

Nice stuffs played by Mr. Howard's usual manner: very charming sound and virtuosity, sometimes hurried slow (IMPORTANT) sections. Above all, GREAT DEAL to face ALL Piano Music by Liszt, where each note says something! Not to talk about easiness of Howard's playing! Unbelievable!
3 funeral odes are really great "new" works.

Another stunner.......1999-09-17

I don't want to sound like a broken record, but this CD belongs in your classical library, as does most everyone in the Liszt-Howard cycle of solo piano music. Every piece on this record is masterful.

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Walking in the air
Snowman Soundtrack available at amazon.co.uk
Still not really The Snowman theme

Walking in the Air

Manufacturer: Asv Living Era
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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The Snowman & Father Christmas
The Raymond Briggs' The Snowman

ASIN: B0000030Y8
Release Date: 1993-12-22

Tracks:

Walking In The Air (Theme From The Snowman)
The Skye Boat Song
Salut D'amour, Op.12
Tambourin
On Wings Of Song, Op.34 No.2
Scenes From Childhood, Op.15: No.7, Traumerei
The Carnival Of The Animals: The Swan
Waltzes Op.64: No.1 in D flat, The Minute Waltz
Liebestraum No.3
The Tales Of Hoffmann: Barcarolle
Hora Staccato
Str Qt No.2: Nocturne
Csardas
Thais: Meditation
Sadko: Song Of India
Tale Of Tsar Saltan: Flight Of The Bumble Bee
Elegiac Melodies, Op.34: Last Spring
Ste Bergamasque: Clair De Lune
Humoresque Op.101 No.7
Dolly Ste, Op.56: Berceuse
Fantasy On Carmen

Customer Reviews:

Walking in the air.......2005-11-03

I sung it in chourus and it was lovely. It sounds so sweet and gives off a free feeling to me! I hope you will like it as much as I did!

Snowman Soundtrack available at amazon.co.uk.......2005-10-29

Don't read if you want a review on this album "Walking in the Air"

The cd mentioned in the title of my review comes with a small book attached to the cd case and has an added bonus- Music with or WITHOUT the narraration! Tracks include:
1 The Story of the Snowman (15:30)
2 Walking in the Air (3:30)
3 The Story of the Snowman (Continued) (6:40)
4 The Snowman Soundtrack (15:30)
5 Walking in the Air (3:30)
6 The Snowman Soundtrack (Continued) (6:40)

Both tracks of Walking in the Air are sung by Peter Auty (I believe the only difference is you get the tail end of the Narrarator's "Flyyyyy....." at the beginning of track 2)
This cd is one of my favorites in my massive collection and I only wish
Blakes soundtrack to "The Bear" was available in this same format.
Hope this helps the other reviewer here and anyone who is looking for the soundtrack to "The Snowman"

Still not really The Snowman theme.......2005-05-21

The first track is not the theme of The Snowman as heard on the movie and sung by Aled Jones. If you want that version, and you should, then I'm afraid you need to keep looking.

I listened to the samples and theya re OK, I really don't have a review of the whole album so don't pay much attention if you are interested in the overall effect.

Average customer rating:

Serene Journeys Through Classical Music
Durufle, Maurice , Holst, Gustav , Gounod, Charles , Victoria, Tomas Luis de , Brahms, Johannes , Barber, Samuel , and Harris, William H.
Manufacturer: Delos Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

Lullabies & Berceuse | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Symphony No. 6, 'Pastorale', Scene By The Brook - Carol Rosenberger
Sleeping Beauty, Panorama - Carol Rosenberger
Clarinet Concerto, K. 622: Allegro - Carol Rosenberger
The Carmen Ballet, Second Intermezzo - Carol Rosenberger
Intermezzo From String Quintet, Op. 77: Notturno - Carol Rosenberger
Symphony No. 40: Andante - Carol Rosenberger
Lyric Suite, Op. 54: Nocturne - Carol Rosenberger
Piano Concerto No. 2 In D Major: Un poco adagio - Carol Rosenberger
Bagatelle, Op. 30 No. 1 - Carol Rosenberger
Traditional Scottish: Wild Mountain Thyme - Carol Rosenberger
Symphony No. 3: Andante tranquillo - Carol Rosenberger
Cello Concerto In D Major: Adagio - Carol Rosenberger

Tracks:

Arabesque No.1
Mazurka Op.17, No.4 In A Minor
Au lac de Wllenstadt ( By The Lake At Wallenstadt )
Bruyeres ( Heather )
Berceuse ( Cradle Song ) , Op.57
Nocturne No.8 In D Flat, Op.84
Sancta Dorothea
Pavane pour une Infante defunte
Romance In F Sharp, Op.28, No.2
Sonata In A , Hob. XVI:12: Andante
French Suite No.5 In G: Sarabande
Le tombeau de Couperin: Menuet
Kinderszenen: Traumerei
The Lake At Evening, Op.5, No.1
Consolation III In D Flat

Tracks:

Invitation to Prayer
Jesus, Wonderful King
Cantata No. 147: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Requiem, Op. 9: Sanctus
Ave Maria
Ave Maria
Ave Maria
Deck Thyself, My Soul, With Gladness
Adagio, Op. 11: Agnus Dei
Stabat Mater, Op. 58: Of Your Wounded Son
Prelude In E flat
Lord, For Thy Tender Mercy's Sake
Rejoice, Rejoice
Suite in D: Air On The G String
Requiem, Op. 9: Kyrie
The Month Of The Righteous
Blessed Are Ye Faithful Souls
He Shall Feed His Flock
The Souls Of The Righteous
Let My Prayer Come Up As The Incense

Liszt: Rarities, Curiosities, Album Leaves and Fragments

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A fantastic quadripartie recital by lisztian Leslie Howard
Liszt you won't hear anywhere else

Liszt: Rarities, Curiosities, Album Leaves and Fragments

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Polonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Liszt: Excelsior! and Other Rare Original Works
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ASIN: B00001QGSD
Release Date: 1999-09-07

Customer Reviews:

A fantastic quadripartie recital by lisztian Leslie Howard.......2004-07-04

If you're a fan of this series, then you will be interested in hearing these first drafts and fragments. It is intriguing to see how several of the Album-Leaves' tunes were to later become the main themes of some of Liszt's popular works.
In this volume, I especially value the solo piano transcriptions of some of Liszt's symphonic poems (Mazeppa being my favorite, although as Mr. Howard explains, all these transcriptions were actually done by Liszt's pupils, with the master reviewing each transcription and then giving his approval).
My most favorite piece, of sheer delight, is on disc 4, the Pasztor Lakodalmas. Many thanks to Leslie Howard for discovering this utterly charming piece and making it available for us to hear!

Liszt you won't hear anywhere else.......2001-07-12

Four CDs of unpublished or recently discovered Liszt piano music, much of it very very nice indeed. Some first drafts, fragments, discarded pieces...a hodgepodge! But if you're a Liszt completist like me you won't want to be without it. Many thanks to Leslie Howard for his scholarship (and playing, of course) in this volume.