Repertoire of the repertoires of the romantic pianist/composers.

[thierry13]

I allways was interested to know what kind of pieces the likes of Chopin/Liszt/Thalberg/etc. kept in their concert repertoire that were not their own compositions. And even wich of their own pieces did they play more often. Bring all your knowledge/sources in this topic

[hunkyhong]

haha, they were influenced by their teachers. I'm sure that their tastes reflected what they were taught and exposed to. for chopin, it was works of John field and czerny. (except john field's noctures are way better than chopin's). Liszt always performed either his own compositions or different improvisations from operatic themes. He was a showman and enjoyed to have others hear his virtuostic writing. But as for chopin, he was a more passive musician, and savored the ever shaped line of music.

[thalbergmad]

I think it is fair to say that the concert repetoire of the early romantics was a lot more geared to their own works than that of other composers, but then they were living in the golden age of the pianist composer (albeit they did not know this at the time).

When Thalberg was touring the States, it was still uncommon for pianists to give solo recitals and often there were other musicians and singers involved. Although Thalberg probably did play Bach in private, i doubt if he did in public, because concert goers came to see him play his own works.

There is record of Thalberg playing  2 Beethoven Concerto's (3rd and 5th) in concert, but then he only played the 1st movements. Whilst he did get great reviews from the critics, the public were not impressed as this was probably to much for the 1850's American. So in affect, by playing his own works and other operatic transcriptions, he was only giving the public what they wanted.

As the 19th century moved on things began to change and if we look at the concert repetoire of pianists like Von Bulow and Rubinstein, we see Bach, Haydn & Beethoven much more frequently. Along with Clara Schumann they showed that solo concerts with a more varied and serious vein were both socially and financially acceptable.

When people went to see Liszt & Thalberg, they wanted to be amazed and they were. When they went to see Rubinstein, Bulow and Busoni, they were educated.

Thal

[thalbergmad]

I would add here that Rubinstein averaged $200 per concert on his American tour and Bulow only $125.

Years before them, Thalberg averaged $500.

Giving the audience what you know they will want appears to have some financial benefits.

Thal

[thierry13]

I would add here that Rubinstein averaged $200 per concert on his American tour

Arthur or Anton? I'm supposing Anton but maybe you're talking about the early arthur?

[thalbergmad]

Anton old chap.

Artur would not have got out of bed for that, perhaps.

Thal

[mephisto]

(except john field's noctures are way better than chopin's).

If there ever was a controversial post