After two song albums together with Ian Bostridge, pianist Saskia Giorgini returns to PENTATONE with a solo recording of Franz Liszt’s Harmonies poétiques et religieuses. Liszt is often seen as a showman, but much of his music reveals his introspective, searching nature. This is demonstrated above all in Harmonies poétiques et religieuses, one of his most ambitious, contemplative and enigmatic compositions, inspired by Lamartine’s eponymous poetry, Liszt’s Roman Catholic faith as well as the 1848-1849 revolutions. To Giorgini, “this music is deeply humane and sincere, tender, but also full of the most sorrowful, violent, painful moments that Liszt ever put into music.” Its ten movements constitute a quest for the deeper meaning of human existence, clothed in music of ravishing beauty.

Saskia Giorgini is one of the most promising pianists of her generation, who has won several competitions and is hailed for her technical command and the beauty and poetry of her sound. Her PENTATONE discography features well-received recordings of Schubert’s Die schöne Müllerin (2020) and Respighi Songs (2021), together with Ian Bostridge.

• Liszt: Harmonies poétiques et religieuses (10), S. 173
• Liszt: Andante lagrimoso (Harmonies poétiques et religieuses, S. 173 No. 9)
• Liszt: Ave Maria (Harmonies poétiques et religieuses, S. 173 No. 2)
• Liszt: Benediction de Dieu dans la solitude (Harmonies poétiques et religieuses, S. 173 No. 3)
• Liszt: Cantique d'amour (Harmonies poétiques et religieuses, S. 173 No. 10)
• Liszt: Funérailles (Harmonies poétiques et religieuses, S. 173 No. 7)
• Liszt: Hymne de l'enfant a son reveil (Harmonies poétiques et religieuses, S. 173 No. 6)
• Liszt: Invocation (Harmonies poétiques et religieuses, S. 173 No. 1)
• Liszt: Miserere, d'apres Palestrina (Harmonies poétiques et religieuses, S. 173 No. 8)
• Liszt: Pater noster (Harmonies poétiques et religieuses, S. 173 No. 5)
• Liszt: Pensée des Morts (Harmonies poétiques et religieuses, S. 173 No. 4)