Sigismond Thalberg, a virtuoso pianist, was popularly believed to be the illegitimate son of Count Moritz Dietrichstein and Baroness von Wetzlar, though his birth certificate indicates different parentage.
Historical Context
Paris in the 1830s was a hub for pianists, with figures like Kalkbrenner, Pixis, Herz, Liszt, and Thalberg all active.
Performer Biography
Francesco Nicolosi, the pianist on this recording, is recognized as the world's leading interpreter of Sigismond Thalberg's music, thanks to his research and numerous recordings.
Composer Biography
Thalberg married Cecchina, the daughter of famous bass Luigi Lablache, in Paris in 1843.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Thalberg's pedagogical work, 'L'art du chant appliqué au piano' (The Art of Singing as applied to the Piano), used operatic examples to teach piano instruction.
Compositional Technique
A particular effect used by Thalberg involved playing a melody with the thumbs of both hands, surrounded by arpeggios, creating the illusion of three hands.
Composer Biography
Thalberg's schooling in Vienna led him to study with Simon Sechler and Hummel, a pupil of Mozart.
You might also enjoy...
Thalberg: Opera Fantasies
Lipatti: Fantasie for Piano, Op. 8
Wallace: Opera Fantasies and Paraphrases
Thalberg: Fantasies On Operas by Donizetti
Thalberg: Fantasies On Operas by Donizetti
Thalberg: Fantasies on Operas by Donizetti
Paraphrases de Salon
Canadian Music in the 20th Century - Gould Remastered
