Ed Zubrow wrote:

>Perhaps I'm crazy.  Last night I was exposed to Liszt's Les Preludes for
>the first time.  Listening to it I felt like I could be listening to early
>Gustav Holst.  Did Liszt influence the Englishman?
>
>Also, from my Penguin Guide a Naxos collection of symphonic poems seems
>like the best bet for a good recording of Les Preludes.  Does anyone have
>this? Or any other recommendations?

The Naxos version of Liszt's tone poems is certainly excellent.  But,
the finest ever version of Les Preludes is Karajan's on DG.  This often
materialises on budget DG compilations.

I have heard an aweful lot of Holst, not just the planets but also
several discs of his lesser known orchestral pieces.  But, I have never
been remotely reminded of Liszt.  A lot of Holst's works are based on
regional, British influences rather than european.

The Arte Nova disc of Holst pieces is a great buy for anyone interested
in his less well known output.

Bob Draper
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