“Will the real Franz Liszt please stand up?” writes John von Rhein in Tuesday’s (7/12) Chicago Tribune. “The Hungarian-born composer was one of the seminal musical figures of the 19th century, whose greatness has been established beyond dispute. Yet a condescending if not prejudicial attitude persists among some critics and audience members, citing the alleged bombast, sentimentality and superficiality of his music. That charge may hold true for some of Liszt’s works (he wrote more than 3,000 pieces, after all!) but is manifestly unfair to the amazing range and depth of expression in his music. … There is much rehabilitation to be done this year, when the music world celebrates the 200th anniversary of the composer’s birth. Thus far no area organization is doing more on Liszt’s behalf than Ravinia, which is presenting 10 concerts between now and Sept. 11 containing works of Liszt. … The chamber ensemble The Knights will include its arrangements of Liszt songs and Second Hungarian Rhapsody in its Aug. 24 concert at Ravinia, where violinist Giora Schmidt will offer a rarely-heard transcription of the monumental Piano Sonata in B minor (Sept. 10). July 20 brings the most intriguing novelty of the summer—‘Lisztian Loves,’ a portrait in words and music of the composer, pianist, conductor, teacher, young lothario and aged abbé, starring pianist Andre Watts and actor Michael York as Liszt.”
Posted July 13, 2011
