Album insights
Collaboration among composers has never been widely sought after and typically only succeeds when each composer is tasked with writing a movement or variation. Even then, the most renowned results often appear uneven: for instance, the "other" Diabelli Variations, despite contributions from Schubert and 11-year-old Liszt, form a relatively insignificant collection. Schumann excluded the movements by Dietrich and Brahms from the "FAE" Sonata to create his own complete sonata. In contrast, Hexaméron stands as a true success, albeit rarely appearing in concert programs due to its technical demands.
The charity concert by Princess Belgiojoso in aid of Italian refugees, held on March 31, 1837 in Paris, led to the famous piano "duel" between Liszt and Thalberg. This event is historically remembered for the Princess's legendary proclamation: "Thalberg is the best pianist in the world—Liszt is the only one." Despite much speculation, a joint performance featuring all six composers of Hexaméron never materialized. Liszt played a crucial role in orchestrating and ordering the contributions of the other composers while introducing his own sections with seamless transitions.
Title and structure of this remarkably cohesive work were devised by Liszt. He arranged the contributions of the composers, strategically omitting the concluding bars of Czerny and Chopin's variations to smoothly connect to his own interludes. Liszt's variations were restrained with no emphasis on virtuosity, contrasting with Chopin's elegant Nocturne. Each composer showcased their talents uniquely within the piece, culminating in Liszt's masterful conclusion.
Apart from Louise Bertin's opera Esmeralda, where Liszt provided the piano score while Berlioz handled the orchestral score, the only other multi-composer work Liszt contributed to was un Portrait en Musique. This delightful piece dedicated to Marquise de Blocqueville was a collaborative effort among composers embodying playful musical portraits. Notably, Liszt's involvement in such collaborative projects reflected his versatility and creativity.
Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique initially faced challenges gaining recognition, but through Liszt's dedication, a published transcription helped clarify and promote the work. Liszt's thorough transcription, serving as a guide to Berlioz's orchestration, shed light on the symphony's intricate elements for audiences and performers. Liszt's efforts in advocating for his colleague's work played a crucial role in highlighting the beauty and complexities of Berlioz's composition.