What are Thalberg's best works?

[cuberdrift]

I want to learn some Thalberg in the near future. What are your favourite pieces of his? What are his hardest pieces?

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Naturally my answer will be about paraphrases, but in passing I think his etudes deserve some kind of mention. The one I've played the most often: Moses, especially as a concert-finisher where I only play the second half, ie the Dal tuo stellato soglio variations.

Other favourites: La Sonnambula, which I think is his masterpiece, Don Pasquale, La Traviata, which is imo one of the hardest and its difficulty is a matter of first hand experience... The L'art du chant is a lovely compilation mostly without obstructive difficulties (check out the Paul Wee recording which is imo quite a bit better than the other complete sets).

The early Robert le Diable is ferociously difficult (Ponti makes quite few cuts). It and La Traviata are my picks for the hardest out of those which have been recorded. The likes of Semiranide, Don Juan, Norma, Don Pasquale are of course also very challenging. I was recently made aware of the paraphrase on Zampa and it looks worth investigating.

[bayreuth1886]

Thalberg's Etude Op. 26 No. 8 is a real gem.

[thalbergmad]

I agree with my noble colleague about the Sonnambula transcription. It is Thalbergs finest work.

The transition into the 3 handed effect is genius.

Thal

[krncandi]

I'd throw in his Moses Fantasy as well... I saw my professor perform this years ago and the difficulty for this and his other operatic fantasies are just transcendentally difficult. Incredible 3 hand illusion!

[cuberdrift]

I'd throw in his Moses Fantasy as well... I saw my professor perform this years ago and the difficulty for this and his other operatic fantasies are just transcendentally difficult. Incredible 3 hand illusion!

Did he play the whole thing or only the second part (Moses' prayer)?

I think I might decide to learn this piece in the near future. Maybe only the second part.

[robertus]

If you are looking for a good Thalberg piece to learn and include in programs, his arrangement of "Home Sweet Home". It's 'relatively' easy (at least, not musically complicated), and exemplifies his most characteristic technique perfectly. Also, audiences love it, since the melody is so well known.

His "Grand Sonata" is also very good- but a lot of work.