Liszt Symphonic Poems Vol 2
(Chandos)
Pride of place in Noseda’s second Liszt volume with the BBC Philharmonic goes to the hour-long Faust Symphony, always a mixed blessing. This careful reading ultimately lacks sufficient character and conviction to set the material on fire. Maybe we needed the choral finale, not included here. There’s greater enjoyment in From the Cradle to the Grave, a late, elusive Liszt miracle offering plenty of chances for the suave Philharmonic.
GEOFF BROWN