Classical Music | Piano Music

Franz Liszt

Hexaméron, Morceau de concert, S. 392  Play

Masataka Goto Piano

Recorded on 04/16/2014, uploaded on 04/16/2014

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

I.     Introduction: Extremement lent (Liszt)
II.    Tema: Allegro marziale (Liszt)
III.   Variation I: Ben marcato (Thalberg)
IV.    Variation II: Moderato (Liszt)
V.     Variation III: di bravura (Pixis) - Ritornello (Liszt)
VI.    Variation IV: Legato e grazioso (Herz)
VII.   Variation V: Vivo e brillante (Czerny) - Fuocoso molto energico; Lento quasi recitativo (Liszt)
VIII.  Variation VI: Largo (Chopin)
IX.     Finale: Molto vivace quasi prestissimo (Liszt)

Hexaméron is known as one of the most technically difficult works ever written. It is a collaborative work, consisting of six variations on a theme, along with an introduction, connecting interludes and a finale. The theme is the "March of the Puritans" from Vincenzo Bellini's opera I puritani.

 

Franz Liszt was commissioned to assemble a set of variations on the “March” to be performed as a benefit for the poor.  Liszt composed the introduction, the second variation, the connecting sections and the finale, and integrated the piece into an artistic unity, while five of his friends, all popular composers of the day, contributed with a variation each: Frédéric Chopin, Carl Czerny, Henri Herz, Johann Peter Pixis, and Sigismond Thalberg.

 

The premiere took place on 31 March 1837 at the Paris salon of Princess Belgiojoso, where Thalberg and Liszt had their famous 'piano duel' for the title of "greatest pianist in the world."  Princess Belgiojoso’s final judgment was: "Thalberg may be the first pianist in the world, but Liszt is the only one."     Masataka Goto

 

Listeners' Comments        (You have to be logged in to leave comments)

Very well played, very clear and precise. Must have taken many hours to learn as it is 30 pages in length. Also it is a very well written piece of music, always love listening to pieces written by Franz Liszt.

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