"Les
jeux d'eau à la Villa d'Este" (The Fountain of the Villa d'Este) is one of
the 19th century's most brilliant demonstrations of pictorial music, and one of
the most virtuosic pieces Liszt ever wrote, without ever putting virtuosity
first. It's a true pianistic tone poem, in the mode of the tone poems Richard
Strauss would later create for orchestra. Brilliant, rippling figures show us the
fountain in sparkling sunshine. We hear brief passages of staccato that suggest
bouncing water droplets and dancing jets of water in sunlight. A new thematic
variant is presented in the piano's highest register, then the fountain totally
opens up with powerful chords and runs that exploit the entire range of the
keyboard. You can almost see the colors of the spectrum as the sun shines
through the jets of water. Sparkling high notes and rippling bass patterns lead
to a subsiding of the waters into a gentle repose.
"Les jeux d'eau à la Villa d'Este" had a powerful influence on later
composers, Debussy included. He evokes water sounds in the preludes "La
Cathedrale engloutie" and "Ondine."
To purchase the CD or download this performance, click here.
Cedille Records is the recording label of The Chicago Classical Recording Foundation, a publicly-supported, not-for-profit, organization devoted to promoting the finest musicians, ensembles, and composers in the Chicago area by producing and releasing their efforts on audiophile-quality recordings. The recordings and their promotion are designed to stimulate interest in these performers and composers and bring their artistry to a wider audience. Cedille Records is also dedicated to promoting interest in neglected areas of the classical repertory by presenting masterpieces that have been overlooked by other recording companies.
Classical Music | Piano Music
Franz Liszt
Les jeux d’eau à la Villa d’Este Play
Recorded on 02/08/2007, uploaded on 02/09/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
"Les jeux d'eau à la Villa d'Este" (The Fountain of the Villa d'Este) is one of the 19th century's most brilliant demonstrations of pictorial music, and one of the most virtuosic pieces Liszt ever wrote, without ever putting virtuosity first. It's a true pianistic tone poem, in the mode of the tone poems Richard Strauss would later create for orchestra. Brilliant, rippling figures show us the fountain in sparkling sunshine. We hear brief passages of staccato that suggest bouncing water droplets and dancing jets of water in sunlight. A new thematic variant is presented in the piano's highest register, then the fountain totally opens up with powerful chords and runs that exploit the entire range of the keyboard. You can almost see the colors of the spectrum as the sun shines through the jets of water. Sparkling high notes and rippling bass patterns lead to a subsiding of the waters into a gentle repose.
"Les jeux d'eau à la Villa d'Este" had a powerful influence on later composers, Debussy included. He evokes water sounds in the preludes "La Cathedrale engloutie" and "Ondine."
Notes by Andrea Lamoreaux
More music by Franz Liszt
Scherzo and March, S.177
Sposalizio (Marriage), from Années de Pèlerinage Book II: Italy
Après une Lecture de Dante (Fantasia quasi Sonata)
Tarantelle di bravura, S 386
Orage (Storm) from Book I Années de Pèlerinage: Suisse
Transcendental Etude No. 10 in F minor
Vallée d'Obermann from Book I Années de Pèlerinage: Suisse
Paraphrase on Quartet from Verdi’s “Rigoletto”
Après une Lecture de Dante
Reminiscences of Norma by Bellini
Performances by same musician(s)
Ondine, from Préludes Book II
Estrellita, from Canciones Mexicanas
Granada, from Suite Española No. 1
General Lavine – eccentric, from Préludes Book II
Danzas Españolas, No. 2, Andante
Les sons et les parfums tournent dans l’air du soir, from Préludes Book I
Bruyères, from Préludes Book II
Piezas Españolas, Aragonesa
Sonata in f-sharp minor (Allegretto)
Mazurca No. 23 in a minor
Classical Music for the Internet Era™
To purchase the CD or download this performance, click here.
Cedille Records is the recording label of The Chicago Classical Recording Foundation, a publicly-supported, not-for-profit, organization devoted to promoting the finest musicians, ensembles, and composers in the Chicago area by producing and releasing their efforts on audiophile-quality recordings. The recordings and their promotion are designed to stimulate interest in these performers and composers and bring their artistry to a wider audience. Cedille Records is also dedicated to promoting interest in neglected areas of the classical repertory by presenting masterpieces that have been overlooked by other recording companies.