Album insights
This final collection of Liszt's piano compositions based on opera themes consists of works ranging from the unpublished compositions (Ernani, Freischütz, Il giuramento) to lesser-known versions of more familiar compositions (Huguenots, Sonnambula, Ruslan, Lucia/Parisina, Puritani), and culminating in the most famous of all (Tannhäuser). Despite missing some pieces in this series either because they were never found – like Bellini's Pirata – or due to minimal differences from other versions of the same title, this collection completes the set. The twelve CDs in this series offer the most extensive array of works of this genre, showcasing Liszt's profound knowledge and interest in a multitude of operatic compositions.
The immense number of operas Liszt visited, conducted, supported, or arranged is astonishing. Though he never wrote a mature opera himself, his adaptations, paraphrases, and fantasies on various opera themes reveal the expanse of his musical genius. Works based on composers such as Auber, Bellini, Berlioz, Donizetti, Glinka, Gounod, Handel, Meyerbeer, Mozart, Pacini, Raff, Rossini, Spohr, Spontini, Tchaikovsky, Verdi, Wagner, and Weber highlight the depth of Liszt's expertise and fascination with opera.
Regarding specific pieces like La fiancée and the Ernani paraphrase, Liszt's meticulous handling of source material and innovative adaptations shaped these compositions admirably. The evolving versions of Les Huguenots and Sonnambula fantasies unveil Liszt's artistic progress and structural refinements over time. Notably, Liszt's orchestral paraphrase of Tannhäuser, often mislabeled as a concert paraphrase, mirrors Wagner's original score meticulously, offering audiences a profound musical experience akin to its orchestral counterpart.
Moreover, uncovering unpublished works like the piece based on Il giuramento sheds light on Liszt's compositional brilliance influenced by his experiences at the Milanese Scala. Despite the rarity of Liszt's Puritani-Fantasie and other unpublicized works, the depth and complexity of these compositions underscore Liszt's creative prowess.
In examining Liszt's relationship with opera themes and his interactions with the opera scene in Milan, we gain insights into his artistic milieu and compositional processes. Liszt's musical adaptations and fantasies based on renowned operas and lesser-known works unveil his ingenuity and dedication to capturing the essence of operatic masterpieces through virtuosic piano compositions.