Okay, I apologize for bringing this old thread up, but I feel that Orage has been greatly underestimated here.
This piece demands of the performer to look deeply within to find the meaning, as well as the person within to play it. Performing it is a DARE. If all that is seen within this piece is "crashing around", then it has not been thought of deeply enough. I have never known of such stirring and rage, and why should rage be of any lesser value than any other emotion ?
Here is the poem that this piece accompanies:
"But where of ye, oh tempests! is the goal? Are ye like those within the human breast Or do ye find, at length, like eagles, some high nest?"
Byron
This book was first published in 1840 after travels made by Liszt. This piece does not need to be played heavy handed, and should not be except for on few occasions. Actually, quite the opposite ! There is wind and mystery, fire and passion. This is not all about heaviness. But I would agree, the ending is quite chilling.
In my opinion, this piece makes for a fabulous part of a program and is complimented nicely with Au lac de Wallenstadt from the same book.