Liszt: Consolations, Six Pensées poétiques, S. 172 - download (MP3 & FLAC)

In this imaginatively constructed programme, the Swedish pianist Fredrik Ullén juxtaposes music by Liszt and Messiaen, showing that there are closer parallels between them than might be expected.

A significant role in both composers’ work was played by religious convictions, and three of the Liszt pieces included here are related to saints of the Catholic Church.

Both men also ventured into unexplored musical territory, with Messiaen exploring bird song (which he described as an expression of ‘religious joy’) and Hindu rhythms, for instance in Cantéyodjayâ. Meanwhile

Liszt in his later years would develop an austere musical style full of dissonance, whole-tone scales, diminished and augmented chords. One of the prime examples of this is Unstern! Sinistre, disastro.

Funseth summarises her motivation for this sensuous recording in the following words: “To me, the concerts at Karlberg castle and the privilege of working alongside so many outstanding musicians have been inspiring. They have been enormously important to me. At every concert, we have always tried to stimulate the imagination, to entertain, even to charm the audience during the twilight hours of a late summer evening – when there’s only time for music and words are not enough On this CD I’ve collected some of the most beautiful and intimate piano pieces I know, pieces for consolation, pieces for joy and inspiration. And I dedicate them to my late husband, Ulf Hjelmquist, a constant source of support and encouragement.