Nareh Arghamanyan, Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin - Liszt: Piano Concertos 1&2, Totentanz, Fantasy (2015) [DSD64]

During his stay in the French capital, the German poet Heinrich Heine wrote a series of articles for the Augsburger Allgemeine Zeitung, entitled “Musikalische Saison in Paris” (= musical season in Paris). These articles still make for fascinating reading, with Heine providing a highly ironic and personal account of musical life in Paris. And, of course, he repeatedly dealt with composer Franz Liszt. This was again the case in the article devoted to the year 1841. That year, Liszt had given two piano recitals based on the music of Beethoven. Heine writes the following: “Despite his genius, Liszt meets with opposition here in Paris, which usually consists of serious musicians and crowns his rival, the imperial Thalberg, with laurels. – Liszt has already given two concerts in which he has played all by himself, against all tradition, without involving other artists. He is now preparing a third concert in honour of Beethoven. This composer must indeed appeal most to the taste of someone like Liszt.”