Search - Mario Hoff, Franz Liszt, Carl St. Clair :: Liszt: Die legende von der heiligen Elisabeth

Liszt Masterpiece

Dennis M. Desantis | 06/08/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is the third recording I have of the Oratorio and in many respects is the best. The orchestral playing is superb which is not quite expected from a provincial orchestra such as the Weimar Stattskapelle. It is a live performance and all singers have intonation problems. The conducting is superb with quick tempos where warranted and all the dramatic points well made. This is more operatic than oratorio-like and of course is the model for Samson et Dalila. This is Liszt at the summit of his orchestral powers. The structure is an outstanding example of the use of thematic transformation and binds it all together with miraculous orchestration. Truly, Liszt's best orchestration. It may not have some of the more unusual combinations one finds in the tone-poems, but the overall texture suits the subject perfectly. While Nietsche found more incense than roses in this oratorio, that is not a fault in 2008. The mystical part of Liszt's musical personality is here manifested along with his operatic side, creating a compelling and moving work of art. One of Liszt's best works, and, I might add, one of the most appreciated during his lifetime. Its neglect today is without reason. This also has great recorded sound-in surround it is a real experience."