Search - Franz Liszt, Jeffrey Reid Baker :: Lisztronique: Electronic Performances of Music by Franz Liszt

Tasteful, driving, enjoyable synth album

P. J. Rowan | Houston, TX United States | 10/31/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In this album, Jeff Baker does a great job of bringing the best that a synth could bring to classical music. I listen to regular arrangementos of Liszt a good deal, but I also listen to this synth album a lot.



This is a big step up from Baker's "Sampler" album - although that album has some nice renditions, Lisztronique is much less gimicky.



This is a midi-based album, and for the most part Baker uses fairly normal, fitting, recognizable voices - i.e., piano for piano pieces -- that are modified and accented with other voices. It does not sound like it was just simply programmed with midi software - the renditions are quite dynamic.



Also, some electronic recordings can sound flat, because they are often not recorded in real 3d space. This album does not suffer from that at all. You will be able to envision the performace live.



Un Sospiro has a very wistful, calm whistling voice for the lead, which seems to fit the idea of a "sigh." A very nice application of the synth to the heart of a composer's idea.



La Campanella is spritely and memorable.



Totentanz gets to fulfill its bold, dramatic promise.



Anyway, if you can stand classical music done with synths at all, a la Carlos, this is a strong album."