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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... Pupils: Three Character Sketches Carl Tausig: A Polish Wunderkind Hans von Bülow: Heir and Successor Walter Bache: An English Disciple of Liszt 6. Liszt's Sonata in B Minor 7. Liszt and the Lied 8. Liszt as Editor 9. Liszt's Technical ...
... pupils and colleagues. An oil painting by Hans W. Schmidt. Front row, right, the Grand Duke of Weimar Carl Alexander, with his wife, Grand Duchess Sophie, listens attentively to Liszt's playing. 9. Carl Tausig. An engraving by A. Weger ...
... pupils, which continued long after they had ceased to study with him. I promised myself that I would one day return to these topics in order to elaborate on them, and it is a pleasure to do so now. II. Toward the end of his life Liszt ...
... pupil, Berthold Kellermann, once visited Liszt in his hotel room in Marienbad and found the master at his desk, engrossed in the composition of a new work. After bidding Kellermann welcome, he went on composing, chatting to him in the ...
... of Beethoven, as a transcriber of Schubert, as a pianist, editor, or author— this idea of music as an ethical force illuminated whatever he touched. His Scottish 7 pupil, Frederic Lamond, once called Liszt “the good Samaritan.
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 | |