Liszt: 12 Études d'exécution transcendante, S. 139

Featuring

Alim Beisembayev
Franz Liszt

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Composer's Artistic Vision

Liszt dedicated his Transcendental Études to Carl Czerny, his teacher and friend, using the étude format for musical expression rather than purely technical exercises.

Compositional Technique

Liszt's Transcendental Études are considered among the most difficult piano works ever written, demanding both technical skill and artistic interpretation.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Many of Liszt's Études have descriptive titles, such as 'Ricordanza' (Remembrance), 'Wilde Jagd' (Wild Hunt), 'Harmonies du soir' (Evening Harmonies), and 'Mazeppa', which is based on a poem by Lord Byron.

Composition History

The final version of Liszt's Transcendental Études was published in 1852, but he made revisions throughout his life, with the first version written when he was only 15 in 1826.

Cultural Impact

Liszt was legendary for his extraordinary solo performances, where audiences were known to swoon and faint, leading to comparisons with modern-day rock stars and promoting the piano recital.

Performer Biography

Pianist Alim Beisembayev was inspired by legendary pianists like Cziffra, Richter, and Kissin, and was drawn to the challenge of recording these pieces despite their reputation for extreme difficulty.

Composer Biography

Liszt's music, particularly in these Études, reflects the influence of Chopin and Paganini, showcasing an extreme emotional range from 'heavenly beauty to devilish fury'.