← more from
Praga Digitals
We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Franz Liszt: Symphonic Poems (Die Ideale, Les Pr​é​ludes, Hamlet, Mazeppa) - Two Pianos Version

by Prague Piano Duo

supported by
Felipe Luna
Felipe Luna thumbnail
robotsnowfall
robotsnowfall thumbnail
Som Bhattacharyya
Som Bhattacharyya thumbnail
/
1.
Die Ideale, Symponic Poem No. 12 -Two Pianos Version 30:28
buy track
2.
Les Préludes, Symponic Poem No. 3 -Two Pianos Version 16:56
buy track
3.
Hamlet, Symponic Poem No. 10 -Two Pianos Version 13:57
buy track
4.
Mazeppa, Symponic Poem No. 6 -Two Pianos Version 16:16
buy track

about

“Among Liszt’s finest works, his symphonic poems are often those in which the rhapsodic element proves legitimate. This is not the case, however, with the vast poem The Ideals, given here in its original version for two pianos, or with Hamlet, whose dramatic unity and thematic economy are nothing less than rhapsodic, and which almost wins in its piano version. Mazeppa, an extraordinary orchestral ride, and the Preludes clearly call for the sumptuousness of the orchestra, although the reduction to two pianos, due to Liszt himself, brings out the contrasts and chromaticisms of the Preludes in a very interesting way.
The audacity and originality of such a program are to be welcomed, especially since if the piano ‘arrangements’ occupy a very important place in Liszt’s work, the case of these symphonic poems seems a little different, the composer knowing better than anyone how to brilliantly and mysteriously evoke all sorts of instruments on the piano - even though he did not always have the happiest hand when it came to orchestrating. Precise and virtuoso, Zdeňka and Martin Hršel dominate without ostentation but with a beautiful musicality the ambitious architecture of the Ideals and underline with transparency the elliptical and dreamlike climate of Hamlet.” (Patrick Szersnovicz, Le Monde de la Musique)

“Demonstrating an uncommon breadth of breathing to, for example, succeed in underpinning the development of the Preludes, this duo also knows how to skillfully balance the sound volume produced by the sum of the two instruments in order to create a real world of sound in Hamlet; then Mazeppa is removed in a brilliant liveliness of execution. Perfectly translated here, silences and other suspended notes play a determining role for this music of romantic inspiration, rich in dynamic and rhythmic contrasts, which in turn amplify or reduce tensions. The Prague Duo provides an execution of a rare density of these pages of imposing proportions. At no time do we miss the orchestra; it is also thanks to Liszt’s writing genius for the piano.” (Gérard Honoré, Répertoire)

Awards: 4* by Le Monde de la Musique, 5 by Diapason, ffff by Telerama

---

250105

credits

released August 1, 1997

Prague Piano Duo

Recording dates : February 2, 8-10, 1997

license

all rights reserved

tags

If you like Prague Piano Duo, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring Riley Pinkerton (aka The Rat Queen) from the theatrical NYC rockers, Castle Rat.
listen now