Israeli-born Fisch, who conducted the Wagner Ring highlights recently reviewed, now shows his artistry on the keyboard. He plays Liszt's transcriptions, which champion showpiece scenes selected from Wagner's German operas, adding his own virtuoso piano touches to fine music. It is a superb recital that conjures up the Pilgrims' Chorus from Tannhauser, the opening scene of Meistersinger, the Spinning Chorus from The Flying Dutchman and other wonderful moments from the operas, seven tracks in all. Then there are three rarities added to the satisfying menu: short piano pieces written by Wagner himself early in his career. The Arrival of the Black Swans is notable for recycling the famous Tristan chord from Tristan und Isolde that in 1861 he had just finished composing.
Highlights: Exquisite sounds well-recorded; excellent booklet.
Here is the first of a complete cycle of Prokofiev symphonies from the Brazilian orchestra under Marin Alsop, its new principal conductor. Alsop shone with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra but shifted to the Baltimore SO, a role now combined with Sao Paulo, a fabulous group that she took to the BBC Proms last month. The CD opens well with the symphonic suite The Year 1941, reflecting the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union. Symphony No. 5 is also a wartime work but much better known, with "grandeur of the human spirit" according to Prokofiev, and given a very powerful performance. A light but spirited scherzo follows its heroic first movement, and the tragic adagio is followed by a joyful, triumphant finale.
Highlight: Prokofiev's twists of melody, and blazing drama.
