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The “challenge of Liszt” continues: the Gewandhaus organist Michael Schönheit has recorded his second album of Liszt’s organ works – more spectacular transcriptions of works by other composers prepared by the greatest keyboard virtuoso of the 19th century and once again played on the magnificent Ladegast organ in Merseburg Cathedral, an instrument which, following its elaborate reconstruction, can again be placed in the right tonal light by this SACD. Central to this new release is the wonderful fantasy Ad nos, ad salutarem undam, the history of which is closely bound up with Merseburg.

Clearance for takeoff
Meyerbeer’s grand opera, Le prophète, had filled Liszt with great enthusiasm and provided him with the inspiration for his first monumental organ work, his fantasy and fugue on the chorale Ad nos, ad salutarem undam. The work owes its pioneering success to the fact that it was first performed at the gala concert held on 26 September 1855 to mark the inauguration of the new organ in Merseburg Cathedral.

Vice versa
The case of Tu es Petrus is a curious one in that Liszt was here transcribing one of his own works. Its genesis is obscure, so that it is unclear whether this wonderfully sonorous work is a preliminary study for the eighth movement of his oratorio Christus or vice versa.

The laying of a foundation stone
In the Ave Maria d’Arcadelt of 1842, Liszt picks up the “youthful memories” evoked in him by his first exposure to the Renaissance Magnificat by Jacques Arcadelt. The fact that Liszt’s memory played him false in no way detracts from this deeply felt work. The piece that Liszt heard was not in fact a genuine work by Arcadelt but a stylistic copy by Pierre-Louis-Philippe Dietsch (1808–65) that was merely based on a tune by Arcadelt.

To err is a sign of genius … The Rivals
Volume 1 of Michael Schönheit’s Liszt recording from Merseburg Cathedral has already put all competition in the shade: “Pure intoxication of sound”, enthused Radio K1, “whether in quiet passages or those requiring grand gestures – it can be recommended for lovers of Bach, followers of Liszt and sound fetishists.” Other reviewers hailed this recording as “undeniably remarkable … extremely valuable” (Musicweb) and “excellent” and “outstanding” (www.classical.net).

Franz Liszt: Organ Works Vol. 1
Prelude and Fugue on the theme B-A-C-H
Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen
3 Bach Arrangements
J.S. Bach: Passacaglia BWV 582
CD:      MDG 606 1334-2
SACD:  MDG 906 1334-6