Liszt: Harmonies poétiques et religieuses, S. 173

Featuring

Michael Korstick
Franz Liszt

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Composer's Artistic Vision

Liszt's 'Harmonies' cycle, while inspired by Alphonse de Lamartine's poetry, ultimately included only six pieces directly related to Lamartine's poems, with the others being Christian prayer pieces or a memorial work.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Liszt's artistic vision, as expressed in a letter from 1860, was to renew music through a deeper connection with the art of poetry.

Composition History

A copy of Alphonse de Lamartine's 'Harmonies' owned by Liszt, containing his handwritten musical and marking annotations from 1845/46, was rediscovered in 2014.

Composer Biography

Even in his youth, Franz Liszt, the composer, was known for his keen interest in contemporary literature, seeking mentors among poets, philosophers, and theologians rather than musicians.

Composition History

Liszt's 'Harmonies poétiques et religieuses' cycle, based on poems by Alphonse de Lamartine, took twenty years to complete, with its final ten-part version appearing in 1853.

Performer Biography

Pianist Michael Korstick, born in Cologne, is renowned for his balance of brilliant virtuosity and musical introspection, and is considered one of the leading German pianists.

Composition History

The inclusion of direct Christian prayer pieces in Liszt's 'Harmonies' cycle, such as 'Ave Maria' and 'Pater noster', was likely influenced by his deeply religious second life companion, Princess Carolyne zu Sayn-Wittgenstein.