Liszt: Complete Piano Music 53 – Music for Piano & Orchestra I

Immerse yourself in the world of Franz Liszt with the release of "Liszt: Complete Piano Music 53 – Music for Piano & Orchestra I," a captivating collection of his orchestral works for piano. Recorded in July 1998 at the Budapest Studios of Hungarian Radio, this album showcases the brilliance of Liszt's compositions, performed by the esteemed Budapest Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Karl Anton Rickenbacher, with Leslie Howard at the piano.

Spanning nearly two and a half hours, this album is a comprehensive journey through Liszt's orchestral piano repertoire. It features iconic pieces such as the Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-Flat Major and the dramatic "Totentanz," as well as lesser-known gems like the "Malédiction" for Piano and Strings and the "Grande fantaisie symphonique" on themes from Berlioz's "Lélio." The album also includes collaborative works like the "Hexaméron," a virtuosic piece co-authored by Liszt and other prominent pianists of his time.

Liszt's music is known for its technical demanding and emotional depth, and this album is no exception. The performances are marked by their precision, passion, and a deep understanding of Liszt's unique compositional style. The collaboration between the Budapest Symphony Orchestra and Leslie Howard brings out the full richness of Liszt's orchestration, making this album a standout in the classical music catalog.

Produced and engineered by Tryggvi Tryggvason, the recording quality is exceptional, capturing the full range of the orchestra and the piano with stunning clarity. Whether you're a longtime fan of Liszt or new to his music, this album offers a rewarding listening experience that highlights the genius of one of the most influential composers in classical music history.