Leif Ove Andsnes - Liszt: Stations of the Cross & Consolation - Japan Blu-spec CD2

Credits:

Leif Ove Andsnes, Grete Pedersen, Norwegian Soloists' Choir, Franz Liszt

Description:

A new recording by popular Norwegian pianist Ansnes is a large-scale choral work with solo piano, "Way of the Cross," which Liszt, a composer who dominated the world of 19th century European music, devoted himself to in his last years. Influenced by Gregorian chant and the Matthew Passion, the work juxtaposes the simplified and concise melodies and harmonies typical of Liszt in his later years with chromatic and atonal parts reminiscent of Schoenberg, and it is as if the long history of European music is contained in one piece. The coupling is a piano piece by Liszt. The coupling is "Consolation" and "Poetic and Religious Tunes," two of Liszt's masterpieces for piano, along with "Love's Dream. The transparent and three-dimensional harmonies of the Norwegian Soloist Choir conducted by Norway's foremost female choral conductor, Grete Pödeschen, convey the spirit of Liszt's last years. This album was session-recorded immediately after the performance at the final concert of the 2024 Rosendahl Music Festival organized by Ansnes. (C)RS