The Liszt disc is played by one of the renowned super-virtuosos of our day: Marc-André Hamelin. Now based in Boston, Hamelin has made over 60 CDs of many of the most demanding works in the repertory, including some that are rarely performed. Here he brings us what may be the very best of Liszt’s many operatic fantasies: Réminiscences de Norma. Bellini’s limpid, gently florid melodies have enchanted listeners for close to two centuries and inspired fellow composers (such as Chopin). Here Liszt captures with remarkable power, on a single instrument, the eloquence of a singer and the colors of an orchestra, and also sketches the special solemn and ecstatic moods that are unique to this still-cherished opera. Hamelin’s performance itself conveys a sovereign majesty while also sounding spontaneously human. I felt privileged to have him play for me alone some of the greatest tunes ever written. The disc also contains other opera fantasies by Liszt, his rival Sigismond Thalberg, and a collectively written Hexaméron, with one variation each by six composers (including Liszt and Chopin) on a rousing march tune from Bellini’s I Puritani.

The Arts Fuse, USA