Liszt: The Concertos - Barenboim, Boulez

Franz Liszt

The Concertos

Daniel Barenboim, piano

Staatskapelle Berlin

Pierre Boulez

Live Recording

Piano Concerto No.2 in A major

Piano Concerto No.1 in E flat major

Consolation No.3 in D flat major

Valse Oubliee No.1 in F sharp major

On its face, this CD is a real curiosity because Daniel Barenboim offers his first-ever recordings of Franz Liszt's two piano concertos, and Pierre Boulez leads the Berlin Staatskapelle in performances that would have been unimaginable when these artists were younger. Barenboim, a subtle intellectual at the keyboard, is one of the last pianists one would envision playing the flashy, virtuosic parts of these works, while Boulez, once the supposed enemy of all things Romantic, seems to have yielded at last to the attractions of Liszt's vision and conceded that these grandiose warhorses contain music of considerable merit. This is no doubt due to a long-in-coming critical reassessment of Liszt's place in the canon. Since the late 20th century, his music has been increasingly understood as a precursor to modernism, and it is presumably easier to reconcile with Barenboim's and Boulez's earlier reservations. Still, listeners will care more about the quality of the performances, and it must be said that there's a precision in the execution that is predictable for both musicians, and the expression leans more to the reflective side of Liszt, rather than to technical wizardry. For connoisseurs who can appreciate the refinement of Barenboim's playing, and the rather unsentimental, efficient approach of Boulez's accompaniment, this is a worthwhile album that presents the concertos and two solo encores in live performances that will satisfy. The microphone is quite close to Barenboim, so everything is captured with realistic presence, including the thumping of the pianist's feet.

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Review from Amazon

When I first read of the pairing of Boulez and Barenboim I thought I was misreading the cover. Several questions immediately ran through my mind. How can a hyper modernist composer/conductor like Boulez study and perform two ultimate Romantic warhorse concertos without deconstructing them until they've become completely unrecognizable? How can a pianist of such long experience as Barenboim find anything new to say? How can two such strong-willed but utterly different conductors find common ground? I bought the disc out of sheer curiosity such as one experiences when witnessing something strange and different. Liszt as a composer is not one of my favorites but I enjoy the two piano concertos as succinct and brilliant examples of his art.

Barenboim appears to defer to Boulez on this recording. His technique is supple but restrained. He emphasizes the sonorous qualities of the two concertos, playing them as if they were not by Liszt but by Ravel. This, of course, is precisely where Boulez is most at-home and the conductor emphasizes the sheer sonic beauty of the interplay between piano and orchestra. There is no Romantic bombast anywhere to be found in these interpretations. Tempos are broad and expressive while occasionally allowing for passages of urgent instrumental dialogue between the performers. What these concertos lack in fiery temperament they gain in allowing Boulez and Barenboim to engage in subtle manipulation of dynamics and phrasing.

If you are addicted to Liszt the uber Romantic you had best stick to Horowitz and Rubinstein. This recording has its sights set elsewhere. But if a hybrid performance that often exhibits great beauty and refinement is something that intrigues you, then you will enjoy this disc. The (live) recorded sound is crystalline and suave with the piano slightly forward. The woodwinds and horns are especially well recorded with a presence that perfectly compliments the piano.