Liszt Totentanz

[ramseytheii]

The different versions of Liszt's Totentanz - can anybody give me a summary of the issues?  What are the most played editions?  Who publishes the so-called "original" version, and who would the editor be?  How many versions are there anyways?  Is it played on solo piano ever?  What score do YOU recommend?

Walter Ramsey

[mikey6]

There the original version for piano and orchestra which Leslie Howard has recorded which has a different start (which I rather like), lacking in some orchestration and a section based on 'De Profundis' missing from the definitive.  There's also 2 version of var.7 which he recorded.
There's a solo version of the definitive played by Arnaldo Cohen (Naxos) which is ok-ish.  The piano and orchestra are integrated so closley that the solo piano version isn't really very thrilling - although incredibly difficult.

[edouard]

I have a Vatican recording by Michelangeli which has differences from my score. I wasnt aware before that there were several versions (well I guess its a recurring thing with Liszt!)
I also have the piano solo version which has some slight changes (even melodic) and is harder than the piano version with orchestra. I have a  Leslie Howard version of it. And a Pascal Amoyel version which is suppose is better but the CD does not work sadly. The italian virtuoso whose name escapes me (Godowsky specialist) has a DVD out with the piano solo version.
best,
Edward

[stevie]

yep, libetta on dvd

cziffra is by far my fav rec

[ramseytheii]

If a piano competition or audition asks for Totentanz, are they typically asking for a particular version?

Walter Ramsey

[mikey6]

If a piano competition or audition asks for Totentanz, are they typically asking for a particular version?

Walter Ramsey

That would be the final version with piano and orchestra (the most common played one) - if it's lsiten under the concerto section (which it is rarely coz it's too short).  The earlier version is not played (except by Howard for interest purposes)

[minor9th]

I have a live recording of the solo version played by John Ogdon that is jaw-dropping. He also played Alkan's Symphony (or Concerto--forgot which) for solo piano. At intermission, they had to retune the piano!

[ramseytheii]

I bought a score edited by Siloti.  Is this one typically used?  It has a number of suggestions for cuts; do people do those cuts?

Walter Ramsey

[ramseytheii]

In the Siloti (Kalmus) edition on page 34, rehearsal # 24, Piu mosso, what fingering do ppl use for this part?  Is it some special technique?  Does one perhaps take the 3rd sixteenth of each beat in octaves with one hand?  I can't find a satisfactory method here.

Walter Ramsey

[viking]

I have a live recording of the solo version played by John Ogdon that is jaw-dropping. He also played Alkan's Symphony (or Concerto--forgot which) for solo piano. At intermission, they had to retune the piano!

Wow, you wouldnt by chance feel like a good caring person today and think about uploading this?  I'd upload something for you...

Sam

[jre58591]

I have a live recording of the solo version played by John Ogdon that is jaw-dropping. He also played Alkan's Symphony (or Concerto--forgot which) for solo piano. At intermission, they had to retune the piano!

i, too, will also upload something if you post it. i want this badly.

[stevie]

his alkan concerto is a bit sheet

[jre58591]

his alkan concerto is a bit sheet

true compared to da doc. but i still give him props for playing it. im eager to hear his totentanz though. ive only heard one other solo totentanz, and that was a libetta vid. twas good, but still, im a collector.

[minor9th]

Wow, you wouldnt by chance feel like a good caring person today and think about uploading this?  I'd upload something for you...

Sam

It's on cassette, so I'd have to make CD copy, then upload that--I'll see what I can do! (My audio system and computer are in different rooms, and equipment is a huge pain to remove from the audio cabinet.)

[viking]

yeah well thats sortof insane, I wouldnt do it personally, but your not me