Classical Music | Piano Music

Recorded on 09/04/2007, uploaded on 01/24/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Transcendental Etude No. 12, Chasse-Neige (Blizzard)        Franz Liszt      

The Transcendental Etudes are a series of twelve compositions begun in 1826 and finalized in 1851.  The first version of the études was published in 1826 when Liszt was 15 years old.  Two subsequent revisions were published in 1837 and finally in 1852.

These are among the most difficult pieces for piano ever written. Liszt realized that his virtuoso piano technique, which influenced the composition of the études, was virtually unsurpassable; consequently they are less difficult in their final form, while still posing incredible physical and technical demands for the performer. Liszt added the programmatic title himself-most of them in French.  Today's selection is the concluding étude of the set, titled "Snowstorm" or "Blizzard".    Soojin Ahn

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.