Liszt: O Lieb (Liebestraume No. 3)

[iumonito]

Here is a humble contribution to the board:

The ultra-famous Liebesträume No. 3 (O Lieb, better known as Liebestraum) was published in 1850, both as a song for voice and piano and Liszt's own transcription for piano solo.  Little he knew.

O lieb, so lang du lieben kannst!
O lieb, so lang du lieben magst!
Die Stunde kommt, die Stunde kommt,
wo du an Gräbern stehst und klagst !

(O love, so long as you can!
O love, so long as you may!
The time comes, the time comes,
Where you'll cry and weep on their graves!)

I think there is more text, but shame on me I have not studied the song.

My Bechstein was built in 1873, merely 23 years after the publication of Liebestraum.  The Beatles' Hey Jude is further from us today than that.

[rachfan]

Hi iumonito,

This is a very good rendition of the Liebestraume No. 3--very expressive and many nice nuances therein.  Believe it or not, I've never studied this piece, although I've played Nos. 1 and 2.

Enjoy your "new" Bechstein!  It sounds like you have a fine instrument there offering a fine tone and a wide dynamic range.  Best of luck with it.

[wzkit]

Excellent, sensitive playing. I enjoyed this tremendously. That Bechstein certainly has a beautiful tone.

Keep those recordings coming!

[remezetti]

Seems a little slow but creates a very good mood
Right hand a little heavy in the beginning
Very nice, slowness in the first part contributes to the accel. in the 2nd
Still feels like the notes "in between the melody" are still a little to loud
Very nice pause after the fast part.

While listening to it noticed a couple of things. Overall a very well played. I really enjoy this piece and I think this is one of the better versions of it I've heard. I still think it's a little slow, and I'd move it up in pace just a little bit.
Great playing

[thalberg]

Absolutely lovely tone quality.  Just gorgeous.