anderson@uwvax.ARPA (05/09/84)
<> > From: jeffw@tekecs.UUCP (Jeff Winslow) > liszt - purveyor of the the sublime and the ridiculous (alas, mostly the > latter) "It is a peculiarity of Liszt's music that it faithfully and fatally mirrors the character of its interpreter. When his works give the impression of being hollow, superficial and pretentious, the fault lies usually with the performer, occasionally with the (prejudiced) listener, and only very rarely with Liszt himself. ... Liszt stood in angry opposition to the drawing-room viruosity of his time. He was first and foremost a phenomenon of expressiveness - so much so that he is said to have infused even Czerny and Cramer studies with radiant life. ... Technique served Liszt as a means of opening up new realms of expression. Anyone who is of the opinion that there is even one work by Liszt where gymnastics is the principal aim, had better keep his hands off this composer." -- Alfred Brendel, "Musical Thoughts and Afterthoughts" Princeton U. Press, 1976, 78-79. Recommended Liszt piano music (i.e., stuff I play): 1) B minor sonata (his masterpiece) 2) Mephisto Waltz (not for the timid) 3) Funerailles (frighteningly morbid) David Anderson (wisc-rsch!anderson)