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Topic: Franz Liszt. Après une Lecture de Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata  (Read 11676 times)

Offline furtwaengler

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The uploaded performance is from March 31, 2009, but first I give some background:

In the fall of 2001 I played Liszt's Dante Sonata on stage for the second time, the first performance coming about a year earlier when I chose it, learned it quickly in three days, and performed it in a recital a week later - my debut in another world. It was this second performance in which a blunt pianist and composer well known in the region approached me saying with sour conviction, "You know, Dante is really bad Liszt," and as if he needed to preach this, he continued, "But you play it like you think it is good Liszt."  

At that time in my youth, I did not know how to take such a deprecating comment. Did the very fact I was playing this piece with some interest and sympathy make me to be a sort of musical false prophet? I still don't know how to take it, other than with a grain of salt and the appropriate, "thanks for your interest," grin. It could be chalked up as the start of a new thread, "Stupid things *musicians* say to us" (or to non-musicians). But this too is a possible mark of the failure of a performance...I could convince him of me, but not of Liszt.

One week later I played the Dante in a huge program at the Steinway Gallery, the largest program I ever gave...and the Dante is a highlight of that memory. None of these performances to my knowledge were recorded (This was not even a thought in my mind at that time), and this November 2001 recital figured to be the last time I would touch the piece for nearly seven and a half years until when in a pinch it peaked my interest (sometimes this is how it must be).

Well, the years go by and my thought now is that it is good Liszt and indeed some of my very favorite Liszt. It is a huge drama; it is favorably operatic; it is an orchestra and a chamber orchestra to which no orchestra and chamber orchestra could do justice; the colors are so many and so varied - and such a range...a powerful, large sonority and an intimate lamenting song, with such darkness and such light, and such beauty and such terror...and one of the most breathtaking and powerful conclusions in all of music, anticipating Wagner and Mahler etc. - well in it I see exactly what drew Wagner to Liszt, if the influence is not double sided (which of course it is).  

On Sunday, March 29, 2009, a calm clear day after a stormy Saturday (tornadoes did touch down), I played a recital of chamber music, and performed again Liszt's Dante Sonata with renewed enthusiasm and bold conviction that this was indeed good Liszt. It was this performance in which my good violinist said, "I have never liked Liszt," and in the joy of conversion, he exclaimed, "But today you've convinced me of Liszt!"

Now what is a good performance? If I missed notes at every turn and received that compliment from another working musician, I'd still have to have some satisfaction!

But well, this recital too was not recorded. It is a good memory, and honestly it is the story of most recitals in history - you have to be in the room. There were a good number of people in the room, friends of the performers, members of the orchestra, folks from the community...but it stood out that at this school where I've worked as an accompanist (they give me so much beyond the including collaboration), not a single student showed up to the recital - this is a common thing with these types of recitals which are not generally listed on the calenders. This time it embarrassed the man who directs the Choral Union and Master Chorale, which I play for, and the community orchestra that I've played with. He asked me to play the Dante at the start of the Tuesday morning Choral Union rehearsal, in order to, "...Give the students a chance to see what they've been missing and to hear who you really are." I happily agreed. This, uploaded below, is that performance. I was introduced, quickly turned on my voice recorder and set it on a seat in the audience, said a few words about Liszt, and then put them in the fire. While such a large sound could not be contained by the feeble recorder, the performance *is* there, and I really do enjoy the performance, warts and all. In cleaning up the sound, I tried something called "low pass filter" on Audacity, and for this it actually made it sound better than I would have expected - I don't know how this will sound on your speakers.

I like to keep memories of these little events alive, and it helps me to write about them and to share. What I remember after sitting down on the bench is akin to being lost in another realm. Blocked out was anything outside of the circle of the piano and the sounds produced...fire could have been coming down all the walls and I'd not have noticed it. I was into it, and at times probably *too* absorbed in it...but when I lifted my eyes at the end at that burst of applause I saw what I did not know and had not expected. Not only were all these students out there doing what students do, but the doors to the auditorium were wide open and the entire faculty was standing in the back with the secretary and some adjuncts and staff and others piling out of the room and applauding enthusiastically! That's a cool, rare moment to awake to and to hold on too.

Ah well...Après une Lecture de Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata. What do you think?
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Offline pianowolfi

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Re: Franz Liszt. Après une Lecture de Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata
Reply #1 on: September 04, 2010, 12:07:52 PM
What an exciting history! And what an exciting performance!
This is my favorite Liszt so far (Well I assume this wasn't hard to guess  ;D ). And if I were to be convinced of Liszt this piece and this performance would definitely do the job.
Music comes to life and, like in your op. 111 recording, I admire the feeling of freedom, or even of "breaking free", that your interpretation radiates!

Offline rachfan

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Re: Franz Liszt. Après une Lecture de Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata
Reply #2 on: September 04, 2010, 10:14:45 PM
Hi Dave,

Bravo!!!  This is the most illuminating and exciting performance of the Dante Sonata I have ever heard! You take us through the fiery Inferno, the pain and hope of Purgatory, and finally the shimmering Paradise through your magisterial virtuosity and deeply-felt lyricism. This is absolutely breathtaking--a tour de force.

I'm still chuckling over your opening anecdote about good and bad Liszt. ;D  If we consider Brahms or Chopin, there is in fact a consistently high quality to their works (although some might frown upon Chopin's impromptus).  With Liszt, his repertoire contains masterworks and gems, but there are some pieces that don't quite rise to the same level of quality.  Having said that, the Dante Sonata is surely one of Liszt's finest and most imaginative pieces.  I've sometimes thought that given the magnitude and majesty of this work, Liszt should really have published it separately rather than including it in the Years of Pilgrimage--Italie, Book II.  Buried as it is in that volume, my sense is that over the last century, it has often been overlooked and has not received the attention it deserves.  I say this even though that collection is all gems.  (The Petrach Sonnets 104 and 123 are good examples, both of which I've recorded.)  It's just that this Dante Sonata is a work of a broad canvas, and the range of emotions it portrays is amazing.  It should really stand alone.

Here is another amusing anecdote about this piece to add to your own.  In a round of a competition, the pianist on stage announced to the jury members that he was playing "the Liszt Sonata".  As he was about to begin, the jury chair interrupted and asked "Which one?" The pianist appeared to be totally mystified, incredulous and flustered.  It turned out that he thought that there was only the Sonata in Bm!  ;D

David  

  
Interpreting music means exploring the promise of the potential of possibilities.

Offline tsveti

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Re: Franz Liszt. Après une Lecture de Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata
Reply #3 on: September 04, 2010, 11:03:04 PM
I've played this sonata some years ago... I never really liked it  ;) Congratulations! It's a very clear performance, especially live one  :) If you allow me, I've a suggestion to make. Maybe you should put a little more "drama", create big contrasts in dynamics and tempo. It will be just like "from hell"... Just a thought... Once again, congratulations!

Offline ronde_des_sylphes

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Re: Franz Liszt. Après une Lecture de Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata
Reply #4 on: September 05, 2010, 09:23:48 AM
Thanks for this; it's an exciting, dramatic performance.. and imo, it's good Liszt! I played around with this piece a few years ago and listening makes me want to return to it.
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Offline lluiscl

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Re: Franz Liszt. Après une Lecture de Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata
Reply #5 on: September 06, 2010, 11:33:32 AM
Great Furtwängler!! (it hurts that the audio/compression quality...)

Offline furtwaengler

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Re: Franz Liszt. Après une Lecture de Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata
Reply #6 on: September 10, 2010, 06:00:53 AM
Hey guys, I'm sorry I've not responded to the very kind comments...You may observe I have difficulty refraining from typing long passages. I wish I could go into detail in response, but with the shortness of time, I'll for now simply say thanks. You all are far too nice to me, and I appreciate that! Much thanks. :)

Dave
Don't let anyone know where you tie your goat.
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