Liszt: Christus (piano solo version) (CD)

A monumental symphonic poem, this world premiere of the oratorio Christus in its solo piano version retraces the life of Christ via eight episodes. In each of these musical frescoes Liszt runs through the entire history of music, from peaceful Gregorian chant, through radiant Romantic virtuosity to highly avant-garde expressionism, opening a door onto the entire 20th century.

The very gentle Introduction uses limpid counterpoint to develop the plain chant of the introit Rorate Cœli. The nativity (Pastorale) is depicted with quasi naïve charm in the gypsy mode. Gradually joy increases and climaxes (The Three Kings — March) witt transcendental, sumptuous virtuosity. Generous, potent Schubertian sonorities (Tu es Petrus) mesh with a quasi amoroso melody, while there ensues one of the most impressive Lisztian storms (The Miracle). Christ’s anguished final hours (Tristis es anima mea) are sublimated by a subtle but very touching harmonisation (O Filii et Filiæ) of a 12th-century verse from the Abbey of St. Martial in Limoges (France).

Considered to be an out-of-the-ordinary artist with an unconventional résumé, Nicolas Horvath began his music studies at the Académie de Musique Prince Rainier III de Monaco. At 16, Lawrence Foster took notice of him in a concert and, securing a three year scholarship for him from the Princess Grace Foundation, was able to invite him to the Aspen Music Festival. With a degree from the École Normale de Musique in Paris, he worked for three years with Bruno-Léonardo Gelber, Gérard Frémy who instilled in him a sensitivity to music of our time and Oxana Yablonskaya.

Leslie Howard got to know him and invited him to perform before the Liszt Society in the United Kingdom, dedicating to him his 23rd Etude in Black & White. Thanks to Leslie Howard, Nicolas was able to deepen and supplement his knowledge of the works of Franz Liszt. Following his premiere of the piano solo version of 600 Lines, he met Philip Glass, who suggested transcribing his symphonic works for piano (Duvagen edition). A contemporary music enthusiast, he works for Alvin Curran, Denis Levaillant, Jeroen van Veen, Kazuo Missé, Thérèse Brenet, Frederick Martin…

He performs as soloist with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte Carlo, the Palm Beach Symphony Orchestra, the Nice Ensemble Instrumental and in festivals such as the Palm Beach Atlantic Piano Festival, Gabala Piano Festival, ‘Alterminimalismes’ cycle, BSI Monte Carlo Music Master.

Winner of international competitions, he was awarded 4th Prize and Special Franz Liszt Prize at the Yokohama International Competition which takes place in the famous Minato Mirai Hall; 2nd Prize at Fukuoka which enabled him to participate in the Nishin-Nihon Debut Recital Series; First Prize in the American Protégé which opened the doors for him to Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall.