Hyperion Records

As the title suggests, the Symphonic Intermezzo is a large-scale orchestral work. Its long-flowing melodies are constructed from smaller cells, and Liszt sometimes sequentially extends the material in the way characteristic of his later works. The proud opening music leads to an Andante amoroso and an absolutely splendid and memorable melody which is worked out at some length. The final section of the work, Feierlich ruhig (‘Proudly peaceful’), opens with a series of chords and arpeggios which recall the prelude to Parsifal, and this passage occurs four times in different keys, alternating with fragments of the Andante and rounded off with a bell-like coda that refers to the opening as well as to the bell-motif from Parsifal.

from notes by Leslie Howard © 1992