The Transcendental Etudes exist in three versions: the first from 1826, a nearly unplayable second version from 1837, and the final, perfected 1852 version recorded on this album.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Liszt's Transcendental Etudes go beyond mere technical exercises, aiming to transcend the physical realm and transport listeners into spiritual and otherworldly realms.
Composition History
Franz Liszt first conceived the musical material for these Transcendental Etudes when he was a 15-year-old boy in 1826.
Performer Biography
Pianist Kirill Gerstein was awarded the prestigious Gilmore Artist Award, which enabled him to commission new works from composers like Oliver Knussen, Chick Corea, and Brad Mehldau.
Performer Biography
Kirill Gerstein, born in Russia, taught himself jazz piano by listening to his parents' records and studied jazz at Berklee College of Music before focusing on classical music.
Compositional Technique
The titles of many of the 12 Transcendental Etudes, such as 'Feux follets' (Will-o'the-wisps) and 'Wilde Jagd' (Wild Hunt), relate to spiritual, ghostly, or otherworldly themes.
Compositional Technique
Liszt's Transcendental Etudes look both backward to traditions of Haydn and Beethoven, and forward to Impressionism, while also influencing composers like Bruckner and Wagner.
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