Reflections on LisztIn a series of lively essays that tell us much not only about the phenomenon that was Franz Liszt but also about the musical and cultural life of nineteenth-century Europe, Alan Walker muses on aspects of Liszt's life and work that he was unable to explore in his acclaimed three-volume biography of the great composer and pianist. Topics include Liszt's contributions to the Lied, the lifelong impact of his encounter with Beethoven, his influence on students who became famous in their own right, his accomplishments in transcribing and editing the works of other composers, and his innovative piano technique. One chapter is devoted to the Sonata in B Minor, perhaps Liszt's single most celebrated composition. Walker draws heavily on Liszt's astonishingly large personal correspondence with other composers, critics, pianists, and prominent public figures. All the essays reveal Walker's broad and deep knowledge of Liszt and Romantic music generally and, in some cases, his impatience with contemporary performance practice. |
From inside the book
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... movement from the Faust Symphony was composed, and much of the oratorio Christus as well. Neither Schumann nor Brahms possessed this ability to any degree; at any rate, they are not known to have practiced it. As for Liszt's revisions ...
... movement of the C major Concerto. When I had concluded Beethoven caught hold of me with both hands, kissed me on the forehead, and said gently: 'Go! You are one of the fortunate ones! For you will give joy and happiness to many other ...
... movements of the Pastorale Symphony for the first time. (By now he had already transcribed three of Beethoven's symphonies: the Fifth, the Sixth (Pastorale) and the Seventh; the slow movement of the Eroica Symphony followed in 1843.) At ...
... movement of the Fifth. All the arrangements I have seen produce the obvious solution; that is to say, they give the famous cello tune to the right hand and its pizzicato accompaniment to the left—all, that is, except Liszt's. At first ...
... original is impossible to reproduce, Liszt does not attempt to reproduce it. Instead, he brings some creative thought to bear on the problem, finally settling for this: The first movement of the Eroica Symphony contains a passage.
Contents
Liszt and the Schubert Song Transcriptions | |
A Study in Declining | |
Three Character Sketches | |
Liszts Sonata in B Minor | |
Liszt and the Lied | |
Liszt as Editor | |
Some Thoughts and Afterthoughts | |
On Music and Musicians | |
An Open Letter to Franz Liszt | |
Sources | |