Liszt: The Complete Années de pèlerinage

Featuring

Louis Lortie
Franz Liszt

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Composition History

Liszt constantly revised his works; the 'Années de Pèlerinage' is a reworking of pieces from his earlier 'Album d'un Voyageur', written during his travels in Switzerland with Comtesse Marie d'Agoult.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Liszt aimed to communicate his 'strongest sensations and most lively impressions' in music, rather than merely describing scenes, viewing instrumental music as a poetic language.

Performer Biography

Louis Lortie, the pianist on this recording, has received critical acclaim for his broad repertoire and has made over thirty recordings for Chandos, earning several awards.

Composition History

The second book of 'Années de Pèlerinage', titled 'Italie', focuses on the art and literature of Italy, rather than its landscape, and was inspired by Liszt's travels with Marie d'Agoult in 1838-39.

Recording & Production

This recording utilizes 24-bit technology, which offers a dynamic range up to 48 dB greater and 256 times the resolution of standard 16-bit recordings, enhancing clarity and ambience.

Composition History

The third book of 'Années de Pèlerinage' was mostly written when Liszt was in his sixties, between 1867 and 1877, reflecting a significant change in his life and music, often conveying despair and austerity.