Liszt and some friends
Presented by Helen Henschel
The present series of gramophone recitals presented by Helen Henschel is constructed upon the interesting study of what the great composers thought of one another's music. Sometimes the great composers were very discerning in their valuations of the music of their contemporaries, but at other times they showed themselves to be no less fallible than any professional critic. For instance, after reading a score of Brahms's Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Tchaikovsky said: ' He has no charms for me. I find him cold and obscure, full of pretensions, but without any real depths.'
Helen Henschel s series began with the musical understanding between Berlioz and Mendelssohn, and this afternoon the second recital is concerned with the relationship between Chopin and Liszt, several examples of whose music will be heard as illustrations to Helen Henschel 's talk. Other famous musicians will be mentioned, including Wagner, Rubinstein, and Tausig.