Album insights
Franz Liszt's career in composing songs spanned over forty years, showing his tendency to revisit this genre and to revise songs to explore new musical possibilities. Liszt, a true cosmopolitan, set texts from various literary traditions but the performers of this recording focus solely on his circles in Paris and Weimar. The Olympians of poetry such as Goethe, Heine, and Hugo intertwine with lesser-known poets from Liszt's circles, creating a diverse tapestry of songwriting. Liszt's songs were not aimed at the virtuoso worshiping audience, but rather sought to spearhead into the future. In his later years, filled with sorrow, Liszt found a new musical language imbued with bitterness. Collaborating with singers like Franz von Götze and Emilie Genast in Weimar, he revised and added to his song collection. Liszt's song message spread wherever these singers performed.
The poem "Freudvoll und leidvoll" is from Goethe's political tragedy "Egmont" and inspired Liszt to create three compositions. The first version was crafted after Liszt's breakup with Marie d'Agoult, showcasing the stark contrasts of joy and sorrow using enharmonic modulations. The second version, born in 1848, begins with a storm of passion before settling into introspective transitions. Among Liszt's works is his effort to capture Heinrich Heine's profound depth in the Lorelei poems. Liszt's final 1860 version, accompanied by an orchestra, evokes the enchanting lore of the Lorelei contrasts and foreboding tones leading to a dramatic resolution.
Cliché or not, declaring Goethe's "Über allen Gipfeln ist Ruh'" as one of the most exquisite poems in German language is indeed fitting. Liszt's successful setting of the poem in 1846 captures the tranquility turning into a chilling ambiance, echoing hints of tragic foreboding. The song builds with falling third chains, akin to Brahms' "motif of death," culminating in reiterations of the conflicting moods.
Richard Pohl's youth-revering lyrics in "Jugendglück" inspired Liszt to compose a song of vigorous exuberance, transcending sentimental clichés into a powerful and emotive piece. An articulation of youthful ardor and tenderness, Liszt's music elevates the poem beyond its conventional emotional depths.
Liszt, along with other composers since the 1820s, found allure in Heinrich Heine's concise and ironic verses from the "Book of Songs." Despite Heine and Liszt's eventual falling out, Liszt's interpretations remain inspired and poignant, as seen in his ethereal harmonies in "Du bist wie eine Blume," moving beyond the sentimental surface into angelic realms.
In 1841, Liszt formed a close bond with Prince Felix Lichnowsky, leading to collaborative periods of creative exploration. Their shared residence on the island of Nonnenwerth inspired poignant compositions by Liszt, displaying a profound emotional depth within sparse musical landscapes.
Friedrich Martin von Bodenstedt's poetic creation, elucidated in "An Edlitam," portrays enduring love in the face of aging, subtly captured in Liszt's harmonic transitions. The harmonious interplay between youthful reminiscence and mature affection underscores the poem's essence in Liszt's musical rendition.
During his vibrant Parisian days, Liszt's interactions with prominent figures like Victor Hugo influenced his musical expression profoundly. Notably, Liszt's bold interpretation of Hugo's texts in "Oh! quand je dors" and "Comment, disaient-ils" showcases his stylistic evolution and emotional depth in conveying nuanced narratives through music.
Elegance and intensity intertwine in Liszt's compositions based on Friedrich Rückert's passionate verses in "Ich liebe dich." The interplay of chromaticism and restraint in Liszt's late style embodies a poignant expression of affection and longing.
The somber and persistent motif in Heine's "Morgens steh' ich auf und frage" is echoed and contemplated through restless nights and melancholy in Liszt's music. Liszt's interpretation captures the sorrowful longing and melancholic inquiry of the poem through poignant musical phrasing.
Georg Herwegh's politically charged and lyrical verses in "Ich möchte hingehn" sparked Liszt's poignant compositions, delving into the profound themes of life, death, and yearning. Liszt's musical interpretation mirrors Herwegh's poignant reflections on the complexities of mortality and love.
The transcendent beauty of Ludwig Uhland's poesy inspired Liszt to transform ageless narratives into enchanting musical masterpieces. The themes of love and transcendence in Liszt's compositions reflect a profound union of human emotions and spiritual aspirations.