Dante symphony

"Recording of the week: Given the provenance of the orchestra, it is appropriate that all three pieces here were written whilst Liszt was living in Weimar ... As pieces written for gala processions of artists go, I must say I found [the Künstlerfestzug] surprisingly interesting: it opens pretty much as expected, with crashing chords and brass fanfares, but I was pleased that Karabits keeps it light enough that it never tips over into tedious pomposity".

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"An auspicious start, then, to what should prove an important new series, a valid overview and an interesting alternative to the more weighted, modern-instrument options provides by the likes of Masur, Haitink, Karajan".

"Once again in this superb series Noseda and the BBC Philharmonic erase all possible bombast and inflated rhetoric in performances of a special refinement and romantic fervour ... Chandos has donce the orchestra and conductor proud in a recorded sound of a special brilliance and transparency".

"This is a worthy conclusion to an unquestionably significant and timely project. Beyond its appeal to Lisztians and students of Romanticism, Volume 5 of the Symphonic Poems will afford tremendous pleasure to lovers of fine orchestral playing. Most highly recommended".

"Vurdering: Diapason d'or".

"Avoiding stodgy solemnity and keeping it light on its feet, Karabits propels it forwards with graceful urgency, and brings terrific energy to the final peroration, where the playing is vituoso and the Weimar brass, excellent throughout, sound splendidly gleaming and triumphant [Künstlerfestzug]. With its companion pieces we are on more familiar ground ... The Künstlerfestzug makes the disc essential listening for Lisztians".