Liszt: Faust Symphony, Transcription For Organ – Hansjorg Albrecht

   in Choir & Organ (Nov, 2018)
Employing the original version of A Faust Symphony (sans the later chorus mysticus finale), Hans Albrecht’s arrangement concentrates instead on the triptych of character portraits contained within. All three are treated as tone poems, ‘Faust’ imbued with a dark, sober complexity, ‘Gretchen’ suitably light and airy, ‘Mephistopheles’ grotesquely animated and turbulent. Munich’s Klais organ casts all in shadowy, crepuscular tones to emphasise menace rather than exploiting drama. Those familiar with the orchestral version may feel necessary light and shade is somewhat lacking. …