EW's GRADE
A-

Details Lead Performances: , Ivan Fischer and Zoltan Kocsis; Genre: Classical

So what if Liszt spent most of his life in France and Germany and never learned to speak Hungarian? The music of the Magyars' fiery favorite son played by a hot-blooded local boy is an irresistible combination. Even the delightful Dohnanyi filler (variations on ''Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star'') doesn't really douse the flames. Put it in the CD player and let 'er rip! Just be sure to remove all flammable vestments first.

Originally posted Sep 19, 2003 Published in issue #1 Feb 16, 1990 Order article reprints