Liszt was born 200 years ago in 1811, and to begin his bicentenary birthday celebration, Hyperion presents a disc of works that have been recorded, and indeed heard here, for the first time. Leslie Howard has long been acknowledged as the foremost Liszt scholar and performer in the world today, and this disc is a perfect example of his tireless work on behalf of the composer. ------------------------------------------- 'These CDs, the 98th and 99th in Leslie Howard's epic Liszt series, amount to something more than the latest necessary purchase for completists: indeed this latest batch of previously unknown or long-forgotten items assembles into a pleasingly comprehensive musical portrait … To all this Howard brings his by now happily familiar way with Liszt's idiom. As ever, he beautifully allows the composer's spontaneous, improvisatory streak to speak as naturally as it likes, and needs to … Memo to fellow-Lisztians: don't hesitate' (BBC Music Magazine) 'The dedicated and industrious Leslie Howard continues to supplement his monumental complete recording of Liszt's piano music … Throughout, Howard's fine feeling for colour and superb rhythmical sense abounds … Intriguing new material is presented with the discernment and sympathy which have become the hallmark of Howard's Liszt series' (International Record Review) 'As always, Howard's annotations reveal a high level of detective work, musical insight and scholarship without pedantry' (Gramophone)