Liszt: a Faust Symphony

This symphony, one of Liszt's least-known pieces, was a favorite of Bernstein's. In the 1960s he fought recalcitrant Columbia executives--who were understandably hesitant to fund such an elaborate yet obscure project--for the chance to record it with the New York Philharmonic, and the resulting LP sold poorly. Nevertheless, Bernstein was given a second chance to sell the public on this work with this live recording of a performance at Symphony Hall, Boston, on July 26, 1976. While he never did succeed in creating for this symphony the kind of cult following he helped foster for the works of Mahler, critics generally agree that the present recording is superior to the New York version and represents the best way to experience Liszt's unique contribution to the Faust literature.