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

Immerse yourself in the world of Franz Liszt with "Liszt: Complete Piano Music 53 – Music for Piano & Orchestra II," a captivating collection of his orchestral works featuring the piano. Released on November 1, 1998, by Hyperion, this album is a testament to Liszt's virtuosity and innovation, showcasing his ability to blend the piano with orchestral arrangements in a way that was groundbreaking for his time.

The album spans a impressive 2 hours and 54 minutes, featuring 47 tracks that include some of Liszt's most renowned compositions. From the dramatic and impassioned Piano Concerto No. 2 in A Major to the hauntingly beautiful "De profundis" and the fiery "Totentanz," each piece is a masterclass in romantic era composition. The album also includes Liszt's interpretations of works by other composers, such as the "Wanderer Fantasy" after Schubert and the "Konzertstück" after Weber, demonstrating his prowess as both a performer and an arranger.

Recorded in July 1998 at the Budapest Studios of Hungarian Radio, the album benefits from the expertise of producer and engineer Tryggvi Tryggvason, ensuring a high-quality listening experience. Pianist Leslie Howard, along with the Budapest Symphony Orchestra conducted by Karl Anton Rickenbacher, bring Liszt's music to life with performances that are both technically impressive and emotionally resonant.

This volume is part of Leslie Howard's monumental project to record Liszt's complete piano music, a series that has been hailed as one of the most significant achievements in the history of recorded music. Whether you're a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to Liszt's work, this album offers a rich and rewarding exploration of the composer's orchestral output.