Franz Liszt was the greatest pianist of the 19th century, perhaps of all time, and much of his reputation rests on his astonishing, challenging and groundbreaking piano works. Yet he was also a composer of around 90 breathtaking songs, most of which are still relatively unknown. Tenor Jonas Kaufmann and pianist Helmut Deutsch are the perfect duo to give these miraculous gems the attention they deserve. From the three charming, melodically rich Petrarch settings to the subtle Wagnerian harmonies of “Die Loreley” (“The Lorelei”), Liszt proves himself to be a master of vocal writing, perhaps the greatest opera composer we’ve never had. There’s a hint, too, of Liszt the Impressionist in the shimmering “Ihr Glocken von Marling” (“You Bells of Marling”)—without doubt, a composer ahead of his time.
- 2015
- 2016
- Diana Damrau, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia & Antonio Pappano
- Elīna Garanča & Malcolm Martineau
- Rolando Villazón, Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Marco Armiliato & Cecilia Bartoli
- Anna Netrebko, Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala di Milano & Riccardo Chailly
- Valery Gergiev, Munich Philharmonic & Anja Harteros
- Antonio Pappano, Violeta Urmana, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Deborah Voigt & Plácido Domingo