Mephisto waltz and other works for solo piano by franz liszt. Something of the spirit of that special place and time is captured in this remarkable release of liszts a faust symphony, transcribed for solo piano by the 16yearold tausig and recorded for the first time by the hungarian pianist istvan lajko. The faust symphony, while it is a prominent illustration of program music, is unique in this respect, that it is not a program of scenes or situations, but a series of delineations of character. While begun earlier sketches for a faust symphony exist from the 1840s it was mainly written in weimar in the summer of 1854. Listen to programmes examining the life and works of franz liszt. Both are the unified whole of parts, either consisting of a single movement or multiple movements played continuously without breaks, and both composers. Liszt s masterpiece faust symphony is a lavish orchestral depiction of three characters from goethes faust using nothing but sound, liszt paints detailed pictures of the three characters emotions, psychology, and personalities. A faust symphony in three character pictures german. Although this is not my favorite liszt work i have to give this a top rating. Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. Liszt himself styles the three movements of the symphony charakterbilder characterpictures, and has named them for the three leading dramatis. The piano transcription of liszts faust symphony is more interesting than really convincingthe orchestral version works better. Every known note of liszts piano music has been recorded and is included.
The aspects of liszts style that go underplayed here are seething energy and crackling diablerie in the faster sections. An excellent source of works for the transitioning students. A faust symphony by boston symphony orchestra and leonard bernstein on amazon music. At the piano with liszt by franz liszt 18111886 book. Leonard bernsteins boston recording of liszts faust symphony has for so long been regarded as the reference recording of the work that were apt to forget that theres an earlier version that he made with the new york philharmonic for sony back in the 196os. Faust symphony liszts orchestral character painting. It has been accepted for inclusion in senior projects fall 2016 by an authorized administrator of bard digital commons. Liszts masterpiece eine faust symphony is a lavish orchestral depiction of three characters from goethes faust.
The symphony was premiered in weimar on september 5, 1857, for the inauguration of the goetheschiller monument there. Feb 20, 20 faust symphonie by liszt conducted by leonard bernstein with the boston symphony orchestra. The last page of the faust movement and the first page of gretchen appear twice. It was a great revelation when i first heard it, and continuing familiarity has only increased my respect. Franz liszt 18111886 gretchen from faust symphony s.
Remarkable as much for its musicological research and scholarly rigour as for howards herculean piano playing, this survey is invaluable to serious lovers of liszt. Liszt reciprocated by dedicating his faust symphony to berlioz. Liszts faust symphony blows the bogus symphonic vs programme. Liszt faust symphony for piano, nyiregyhazi live youtube. Transcendental etudes by franz liszt for solo piano 1851 s. The ticket price includes a welcome drink and a small snack. Dec 27, 2010 liszt s gigantic orchestral paean to his romantic alter ego in his faust symphony receives a blazing, improvisatory performance from ivan fischer and his budapest festival orchestra. For his berlin appearance in november 20, riccardo chailly begins the programme with richard wagners seldom performed faust overture. Even though many of liszts piano works are technically difficult, this collection brings together a number of his short and beautiful compositions that are technically undemanding. In liszts works without written program, notably the piano sonata in b minor and his two piano concerti, similar types of moods are expressed in a style resembling that of the symphonic poems. Faust symphony to enjoy in your home or car, or gift it to another music lover. Giving full rein to such tendencies was never horensteins way, and perhaps his conviction that the faust symphony should be taken more seriously than it sometimes has been contributed to his apollonian approach. Every known note of liszts piano music has been recorded and is included here.
Otherwise the piece turns into a travesty and a bore. In liszt s works without written program, notably the piano sonata in b minor and his two piano concerti, similar types of moods are expressed in a style resembling that of the symphonic poems. It is too little known for a work which is one of the high points of the romantic genre. Faust symphony by franz liszt 18111886 listening cd. Franz liszt 18111886 a faust symphony in three character portraits after goethe 185457 rev. The symphony ranges from heartrending lyrical beauty to spinetingling dramatic force.
Son eleve carl tausig est lauteur dune reduction pour piano seul. The theme which lies behind the work is the opening tune of liszts faust symphony though this is never heard in its original form but is rather u. Lento assai allegro agitato ed appassionato assai gretchen. Bbc radio 3 composer of the week, discovering liszt. Faustsymphonie by liszt conducted by leonard bernstein with the boston symphony orchestra. A faust symphony in three character pictures in full score. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Three years later, liszt added a choral finale that sets the chorus. However, hungarian pianist istvan lajko has what it takes to bring it offterrific technique and an awareness of phrasing that keeps this from being just bombast always a danger with pianists tackling liszt. Botstein delivered this challenging piece with clarity and success. The emotional music of the second movement gretchen was praised by liszts. In the so called war of the romantics, he supported his soninlaw wagner and the futuristic school of weimar against the more conservative leipzig school, most famously represented. While begun earlier sketches for a faust symphony exist from the 1840s it was. Franz liszt gretchen from faust symphony performed by amaral.
Even though the string sound of this orchestra is hardly opulent, and the first chairs, particularly the oboe, are a. The french composer hector berlioz introduced liszt to goethes faust in 1830 and liszt, in turn, dedicated his faust symphony to berlioz. Liszt ferenc october 22, 1811 july 31, 1886 was a hungarian virtuoso pianist and composer he was a renowned performer throughout europe during the 19th century, noted especially for his showmanship and complete sovereignty over the keyboard. Liszt s masterpiece eine faust symphony is a lavish orchestral depiction of three characters from goethes faust.
Liszts faust symphony blows the bogus symphonic vs programme music debate out of the water tom service tue 1 jul 2014 02. The project lisztfaust symphony, modified for two pianists, tenor and male choir, offers a unique and extraordinary experience, taking place in a captivating space of the petrof gallery undoubtedly more than appropriate place for the czech premier of this performance. Features two big masterpieces for solo piano by liszt and schubert performed by sergei edelmann, a pianist of musical maturity and splendid virtuosity. The piano transcription of liszt s faust symphony is more interesting than really convincingthe orchestral version works better. Liszt settled in weimar and went on to compose some of his most important masterpieces, include the faust symphony, the symphonic poems, and the two piano concerti. Franz liszt life life of franz liszt detailed biography family adam liszt father anna liszt mother marie dagoult 1st wife, mother of his children carolyne zu saynwittgenstein 2nd wife cosima wagner daughter works musical works of franz liszt late works of franz liszt compositions list of compositions by franz liszt main page s. This disc is a cornerstone of any serious liszt collection.
In this 1994 live appearnace in berlin, a decade before he was appointed music director, simon rattle approaches the vulgarity a bit too daintily, much as riccardo chailly does. See all books authored by franz liszt, including chopin, and complete hungarian rhapsodies for solo piano, and more on. The symphony was premiered in weimar on september 5, 1857, for the inauguration of the goethe. The second of three character pictures after goethe that make up liszt s a faust symphony. Liszt s faust symphony is his greatest symphonic masterpiece. Here is bernstein at the top of his game and the boston symphony is wonderful. Aspects of the investigation the faust symphony of 1854 was, and is, regarded as one of franz liszts most distinguished works. A faust symphony in three character pictures in full score by. Liszts faust symphony mengying wei bard college this open access is brought to you for free and open access by the bard undergraduate senior projects at bard digital commons. Faust symphony by liszt, franz, rattle, sir simon, ernst senff chorus, prague philharmonic chorus, seiffert, peter from amazons classical music store. He first came to my attention in his laserlight recordings of liszt s works for piano and orchestra with jeno jando.
Liszts gigantic orchestral paean to his romantic alter ego in his faust symphony receives a blazing, improvisatory performance from ivan fischer and. The faust symphony is one of those pieces in which everyone either has to give 100 percent, or they neednt bother. The main work is franz liszts faust symphony, whose first movement paraphrases a motif from the wagner overture. Liszt provided an alternative ending to the symphony omitting the chorus mysticus to be performed in the absence of tenor and chorus. Riccardo chailly conducts wagner and liszt digital. His compositions for solo piano continue to be loved and admired by pianists and their audiences for their lush romanticism and. Public domain compositions, and 1 music rights societies. Jul 01, 2014 liszt s faust symphony blows the bogus symphonic vs programme music debate out of the water tom service tue 1 jul 2014 02.
The symphony was premiered in weimar on september 5, 1857, for the inauguration of the. Buy liszt a faust symphony by franz liszt, andras ligeti, liszt academy of music orchestra, andras molnar, hungarian state choir from amazons classical music store. Mephisto waltz and other works for solo piano by franz. The full title of the work, a faust symphony in three character sketches after goethe. Using nothing but sound, liszt paints detailed pictures of the three characters emotions, psychology, and personalities. Many have seen, and see, in it the crowning achievement of his entire oeuvre. If you dont believe in liszt s faust symphony as serious music, you have to at least give it blood and guts. Leonard bernstein, franz liszt, leonard bernstein, tanglewood festival. Orchestral score, dedicated to hector berlioz, composed in 1854. Fantasy on a theme of liszt was written in 1967 for a cheltenham festival concert. Franz liszt books list of books by author franz liszt. Leslie howards recording of liszts complete piano music, on 99 cds, is one of the monumental achievements in the history of recorded music.
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