The 19th century concept of the dance of death as a
midnight gathering of skeletons was an inspiration for Liszt when writing this
piece, as was the plainchant Dies Irae,
on which Totentanz is built. This chant melody had already assumed a
generally macabre quality in other romantic pieces, perhaps most famously by
Berlioz in his Symphonie Fantastique,
and by Saint-Saëns in his Dance macabre.
Liszt
uses the theme as the basis of a set of truly diabolical variations which
prompted one listener at the premiere to accuse him of having made a pact with
the devil. Liszt also wrote another
version of Totentanz for piano and
orchestra. Minju Choi
Classical Music | Piano Music
Franz Liszt
Totentanz (Dance of Death) Play
Recorded on 08/24/2004, uploaded on 01/23/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Totentanz Franz Liszt
The 19th century concept of the dance of death as a midnight gathering of skeletons was an inspiration for Liszt when writing this piece, as was the plainchant Dies Irae, on which Totentanz is built. This chant melody had already assumed a generally macabre quality in other romantic pieces, perhaps most famously by Berlioz in his Symphonie Fantastique, and by Saint-Saëns in his Dance macabre.
Liszt uses the theme as the basis of a set of truly diabolical variations which prompted one listener at the premiere to accuse him of having made a pact with the devil. Liszt also wrote another version of Totentanz for piano and orchestra. Minju Choi
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)
Regard de la parole toute puissante, from Vingt Regard sur l'Enfant Jésus
Noël, from Vingt Regard sur l'Enfant Jésus
Regard de première communion de la Vierge, from Vingt Regard sur l'Enfant Jésus
Song without Words No. 1 in E-flat Major, Opus 67
Song without Words No. 2 in f-sharp minor, Opus 67
Song without Words No. 6 in E Major, Opus 67
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