Classical Music | Piano Music

Recorded on 06/19/2007, uploaded on 01/26/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Waltzes from Gounod's Faust                    Franz Liszt

Franz Liszt transcribed many operatic melodies for the piano. This piece comes from French composer Charles Gounod's (1818-1893) Faust.   

The story concerns the fate of Faust in his quest for the true essence of life.  Frustrated with learning and the limits of his knowledge and power, Faust bargains with the Devil (Mephistopheles) to serve him until the moment Faust attains the zenith of human happiness, when Mephistopheles may take his soul.  The devil is pleased with the deal as he believes the moment will never come.  Mehistopheles leads Faust to a lustful relationship with a beautiful woman named Marguerite.  Marguerite and her family are destroyed by the deception of Mephistopheles and the desires and actions of Faust.  The story ends in tragedy as Marguerite is saved and Faust is left in shame.      Sehee Kim

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.