"Inspired by Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsodies the four Norwegian Rhapsodies spin traditional melodies into expansive orchestral essays whose eloquence, ebullience and energy has ensured them wide appeal. His Romeo and Juliet, completed prior to Tchaikovsky's fantasy-overture, and Zorahayda, based on Washington Irving's tale of a Moorish princess and a Christian knight, are dreamy musical evocations of two classic love stories"