Hungarian composer Franz Liszt was an
extraordinary musician, conductor, and composer. He was one of
the greatest pianists of all time. He was a completely free and
independent spirit, with his own unique style. His music became
the foundation of the "Early Romantic Period."
Liszt was influenced by the phenomenal
violinist Paganini. Liszt sought to transpose Paganini's technique
to the piano.
Liszt was also an avid protagonist of
the music of other composers. He produced Wagner's Tannhauser
and the world premiere of Lohengrin; Schumann's Faust, Manfred,
Genoveva, and Pardis und Peri.
In addition, Liszt conducted all of the
Beethoven symphonies. He particularly promoted the Ninth symphony,
which was under appreciated at the time.
"Les Preludes" is the third,
and most popular of Liszt's symphonic poems. It is filled with
rich melodic themes.
Liszt orginally wrote the "Hungarian
Rhapsodies" for piano, but they have been effectively arranged
for orchestra. The Rhapsodies are based on a form of music familiar
in Hungary that was fostered by Gypsy musicians.
Each Rhapsodies consists of two connected
movements. The first is of a mournful or contemplative character,
labeled Lassan. The second, called Friska, has wild and exuberant
spirit.
The "Mephisto Waltz" is based
on the he devil in the Faust legend to whom Faust sold his soul.
Many of Liszt's later compositions are somber in tone, full of
dissonance and unusual harmonic effects. The pieces foreshadowed
20th-century music.
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