Thalberg's Fantaisie sur des motifs de l'opéra Les Huguenots de Meyerbeer, Op.20, was composed in great haste, appearing only six weeks after the opera's premiere.
Performer Biography
Mark Viner, the pianist on this recording, is the Chairman of both the Alkan Society and the Liszt Society, reflecting his advocacy for the music of these composers.
Compositional Technique
Thalberg developed the 'three-hand effect,' a piano technique where a melody is played between the hands while they simultaneously perform rapid figurations, creating the illusion of three hands.
Recording & Production
Three of the pieces on this album, Grand Caprice sur des motifs de l'opéra Charles VI de F. Halévy, Op.48, Grande Fantaisie sur des motifs de l'opéra La Muette de Portici de D. F. E. Auber, Op.52, and Grand Caprice sur la Marche de l'Apothéose de Berlioz, Op.58, are first recordings.
Composer Biography
A famous rivalry, known as the 'ivory duel,' occurred between Thalberg and Franz Liszt, two virtuoso pianists, in 1837 at the salon of Princess Cristina di Belgiojoso.
Composer Biography
After two unsuccessful operas, Thalberg toured the Americas extensively, achieving immense success before retiring to cultivate his vineyard in Naples.
Composer Biography
Sigismond Thalberg, the composer, was widely believed to be the illegitimate son of Prince Franz Joseph von Dietrichstein and Baroness Maria Julia Wetzlar von Plankenstern.
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