Philip Dukes' recital of music for viola offers one celebrated work for the instrument and two less familiar pieces, one of which receives its world-premiere recording on this Naxos release. Originally written for viola and orchestra, but performed here in Franz Liszt's arrangement for viola and piano, Hector Berlioz's Harold in Italy was based in part on Lord Byron's poem, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, as well as on experiences Berlioz had while visiting the country. While it is cast in the form of a symphony with an ...
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Philip Dukes' recital of music for viola offers one celebrated work for the instrument and two less familiar pieces, one of which receives its world-premiere recording on this Naxos release. Originally written for viola and orchestra, but performed here in Franz Liszt's arrangement for viola and piano, Hector Berlioz's Harold in Italy was based in part on Lord Byron's poem, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, as well as on experiences Berlioz had while visiting the country. While it is cast in the form of a symphony with an obbligato viola part, it is regarded as somewhat closer to a concerto in its demands, and its program of picturesque incidents and colorful scenes influenced the symphonic poems of Liszt. Following Harold in Italy is a short piece by Liszt, based on a song, Oh! pourquoi donc, but developed into a reverie that is quite attractive for its plaintive melody. The Viola Sonata of Austrian composer Kurt Roger, which appears on CD for the first time, is richly tonal and quite lyrical, reflecting...
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