Franz Liszt - 2 Selected Transcendental Études from S.139 (Eisenstein)

Franz Liszt (1811 - 1886) ――――――――――――――― 2 Selected Transcendental Études from S.139 (1852) ――――――――――――――― Neill Eisenstein ( - ) Recording date unknown ――――――――――――――――――――――――― 10.Allegro agitato molto in F minor "Appassionata" (0:00) Transcendental Étude No. 10 in F minor, "Allegro agitato molto", or Appassionata, is the tenth of twelve Transcendental Études by Franz Liszt. The title of Appassionata was provided by Ferruccio Busoni. Passage work for the left hand is rather difficult, while the right hand plays the melody mostly in octaves. Other difficulties include cramped spacing (the hands are often close together), left-hand arpeggiated passage work, complex figurations in polyrhythm, and the right hand ascending the keyboard in swiftness using only the thumb, the third, and fourth finger. The étude is in sonata form, with a second group in E♭ minor, and an explosive coda. The climax occurs right after the softest part of the piece and is an octave D♭ played 23 times in a row with rhythmic changes and rapid left-hand arpeggios that constantly change theme. The 1837 version bears a coda which is modelled after the coda in the finale of Beethoven's "Appassionata" Sonata. ――――――――――――――――――――――――― 12.Andante con moto in Bb minor "Chasse neige" (3:50) Transcendental Étude No. 12 in B♭ minor, "Chasse-neige" (snow-whirls) is the last of twelve Transcendental Études by Franz Liszt. The étude is a study in tremolos but contains many other difficulties like wide jumps and fast chromatic scales, and it requires a very gentle and soft touch in the beginning. The piece gradually builds up to a powerful climax. It is one of the most difficult Transcendental Études. Ferruccio Busoni stated the étude was the "noblest example, perhaps, amongst all music of a poetising nature." He described the work as "a sublime and steady fall of snow which gradually buries landscape and people".