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In Reply to: Re: Liszt-Dante Symphony-What should I Listen For? posted by Russell on January 4, 2007 at 23:34:22:
I guess I'll let this one sit on the shelf a while longer and do some research on it to try to uncover its reason for being. It's been in the repetoire for 150 years and there have always been recordingss and performances of it. As they say "there is some good in all of us, you just have to find it". I'll see if I can uncover any redeeming features of "Dante Symphony", but not right now.
Robert C. Lang
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"Symphony" by name only (oh, yeah, and by having more than one movement), this work sounds EXACTLY like Liszt's other "Symphonic Poems". It is a large scale "mood piece" based primarily upon "evoking an image" -- of Dante's Inferno (i.e., Hell) in this case. All of the works on this CD/SACD are dedicated to either Wagner or Berlioz, and this is apt both in their spirit and execution.I found that the recording required (and could handle well) a LOT of volume on my system -- much more than almost any other recording I have played within memory (you know, one of those "volume knob at 11:00 AM instead of the usual 9:00 AM position" things. Nice soundstage at that volume...not narrow.
I think of Liszt's orchestral works along the lines of Bruch and some of the lesser Russian symphonists. Take off the "serious hat" one usually wears for Beethoven, Bruckner or Mahler and there is a great deal to enjoy, even if only occasionally.
Ah ha! This is good information and is very helpful. It is not often that I ask for advice or guidance on how to listen to a composition or what to look for (although such advice can be very useful especially for tone poems or programmatic works). I usually just jump right in but often learn that a bit of homework may have been in order to increase the appreciation quotient. In the case of Liszt's Dante Symphony "something" told me that this particular music from this composer who is most known for other types of work, that it might be a good to get guidance before jumping in.
was one of the first truly "Modern" composers. Berlioz was one of the leaders -- maybe even THE leader -- who completely left behind many of the formal, structural elements of the "Classical Period" exemplified by Mozart, Haydn etc. Liszt, with his "tone poem" approach took it even further. His orchestral music is Romantic, in that it characterizes "ideas as music" but, in this regard, he is operating in the exact same place as Berlioz, Wagner and some Schumann. But, to me anyway, Liszt is even more "abstract". HIS music can and should be listened to, at least in part, as "pure sound" -- he is almost "painting with sound" in a poetic manner that never really took hold until something like 125-150 years later, when almost "no structure at all" became acceptable (for some, including me) in the works of composers like Cage or Norgard. But, compared to these modern sound architects, Liszt looks old-fashioned...clearly Romantic. Somewhat differently, in listening to the choral finale to Purgatorio (2nd half of the Dante Symphony), I can almost tangibly feel either the debt or the roots of the British choral composers such as Vaughan Williams. Romantic, Late Romantic, Modernist...all of it is there in Liszt's orchestral works.
to those who are seeking musical (not sonic) satisfaction from SACD's. But, I'm going to agree with many that a little of his orchestrated music (tone poems) can go a long way, except for a few including Les Preludes, Tassso, and his Faust Sym. No so for his piano music - I'm never, ever, bored with that!Regarding the Botstein performance, this Dante performance doesn't to much for me either, but I think the Tasso ("Lasso" LOL!) performance is outstanding, even on a redbook player.
that the OP already owns the recording!:-) I was just pointing out a few things to consider when listening to it. I absolutely agree with you re the orchestral works -- they are "play 'em now and then" pieces so that the little they have doesn't wear thin. That said, they are unique works.
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