Liszt's Totentanz

[steinwayguy]

Am I the only one on this forum that thinks Totentanz is Liszt at his worst, as in horrificly bombastic and simple, mindless, pointless, and blatant virtuosity.

[Kassaa]

Yes, you are.

[dinosaurtales]

OK.  I'd be hard pressed to be that critical (I mean, pointless, mindless? - hm)  BUT I will say that Liszt in general won't have the musical depth of, say Chopin or Prokofiev.  Still it can be great to listen to and play.

[Daevren]

Does Chopin have musical depth? Prokovief maybe, but Chopin? Of course he has nice music but not much musical depth.

The point that Totentanz is a set of five variations on Deis Irae already counters the argument that it is just horrificly bombastic and simple, mindless, pointless, and blatant virtuosity.

[apion]

Am I the only one on this forum that thinks Totentanz is Liszt at his worst, as in horrificly bombastic and simple, mindless, pointless, and blatant virtuosity.

Well, I'm at the opposite end of the spectrum.  I think Totentanz (when performed well) is one of Liszt's more virtuosic and balanced compositions.  It's a flashy showpiece with depth and drama.  I've seen it performed live a few times and have been riveted each time.

[musicsdarkangel]

I totally disagree.


ITS SO EVIL!!!!


which is why it's so great.

[steinwayguy]

Alright, I'll admit that saying it is "horrificly bombastic and simple, mindless, pointless, and blatant virtuosity" was a little over the top. I will more accurately describe my opinion of it in one word- "noise".

[Daevren]

You really should stop looking for fights.

[ralessi]

being a Liszt LOVER, i agree in saaying that its not one of his deepest works, and is pretty virtuostic, but i wouldnt call it noise.  Its just so cool and evil!  I have both Cziffra and Zimermann playing it...just amazing.....

Cheers!

Ricky

[happyface94]

The first time I listened to it, I didn't think it was good. Maybe when I'll listen to it a second time i'll see a different colour.

[thalbergmad]

I totally disagree.


ITS SO EVIL!!!!


which is why it's so great.

100% with you on this one. It scares the hell out of me. Hypnotic to a fashion.

[viking]

Yes, you are.

I agree.  Musical taste is an opinion, but I would say most people consider Totentanz many levels above just "noise".
SAM

[apion]

Its just so cool and evil!  I have both Cziffra and Zimermann playing it...just amazing.....

Cheers!

Ricky

Agreed!   

[ramseytheii]

I think Totentanz is an acquired taste, especially difficult to acquire for those who just hear a bunch of empty octaves with fifths, and big jumps.  It's definitely Liszt at one of his most demonic moments, and although the piano writing is not so innovative like in so much of his other music, it is still a unique sound for his oeuvre, and for the time he wrote it.  I think the piano part is written the way it is not because of lack of ideas or the desire to generate applause for bombast, but because he was exploring an original sound aesthetic, one that incorporated the very percussive elements of the piano.  I encourage you not to give up on listening to Totentanz, and to find what is special about it - look to the sound!

Walter Ramsey

[mikey6]

Does Chopin have musical depth? Prokovief maybe, but Chopin? Of course he has nice music but not much musical depth.