Inspired by his travels through Switzerland and Italy, Franz Liszt penned the first two suites of his Années de pèlerinage (“Years of Pilgrimage”) between the late 1830s and 1850s. Whereas the first suite, Premiere année: Suisse (“First Year: Switzerland”), was a depiction of the landscapes and scenes Liszt witnessed in the country, the pieces of Deuxième année: Italie (“Second Year: Italy”) was a personal reflection on the art of the Italian peninsula. Forming a triptych within the suite are three works inspired by the sonnets of Petrarch. Based on songs for tenor voice he had composed earlier in 1838-39, Liszt transcribed them for piano solo, preceding them with quotes from their respective sonnet. Of the three, the second, Sonetto 104 is the most often performed.
A tale of unrequited love, Liszt’s musical setting captures the restlessness and intense longing of Petrarch’s sonnet. Prefaced by an agitated and chromatic introduction, the music settles into a passionate Adagio. The molto espressivo melody first appears over a sparse accompaniment of rolled chords, emphasizing the tormented emotions of the poet. With the second statement of the melody, an accompaniment of arpeggios supports the passionate song. Only in the final stanza, as the poet directs his attention explicitly to the object of his affection does the music become gentle, diving into the heart of the poet’s feelings. In soft tones, the music comes to an affectionate, yet uneasy, close.Joseph DuBose
To purchase the CD or download this performance, click here.
Cedille Records is the recording label of The Chicago Classical Recording Foundation, a publicly-supported, not-for-profit, organization devoted to promoting the finest musicians, ensembles, and composers in the Chicago area by producing and releasing their efforts on audiophile-quality recordings. The recordings and their promotion are designed to stimulate interest in these performers and composers and bring their artistry to a wider audience. Cedille Records is also dedicated to promoting interest in neglected areas of the classical repertory by presenting masterpieces that have been overlooked by other recording companies.
Classical Music | Piano Music
Franz Liszt
Sonetto 104 del Petrarca Play
Recorded on 05/01/2001, uploaded on 02/10/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Inspired by his travels through Switzerland and Italy, Franz Liszt penned the first two suites of his Années de pèlerinage (“Years of Pilgrimage”) between the late 1830s and 1850s. Whereas the first suite, Premiere année: Suisse (“First Year: Switzerland”), was a depiction of the landscapes and scenes Liszt witnessed in the country, the pieces of Deuxième année: Italie (“Second Year: Italy”) was a personal reflection on the art of the Italian peninsula. Forming a triptych within the suite are three works inspired by the sonnets of Petrarch. Based on songs for tenor voice he had composed earlier in 1838-39, Liszt transcribed them for piano solo, preceding them with quotes from their respective sonnet. Of the three, the second, Sonetto 104 is the most often performed.
A tale of unrequited love, Liszt’s musical setting captures the restlessness and intense longing of Petrarch’s sonnet. Prefaced by an agitated and chromatic introduction, the music settles into a passionate Adagio. The molto espressivo melody first appears over a sparse accompaniment of rolled chords, emphasizing the tormented emotions of the poet. With the second statement of the melody, an accompaniment of arpeggios supports the passionate song. Only in the final stanza, as the poet directs his attention explicitly to the object of his affection does the music become gentle, diving into the heart of the poet’s feelings. In soft tones, the music comes to an affectionate, yet uneasy, close. Joseph DuBose
More music by Franz Liszt
Tarantelle di bravura, S 386
Consolation no. 4, S.172
Orage (Storm) from Book I Années de Pèlerinage: Suisse
Consolation N° 3
Vallée d'Obermann from Book I Années de Pèlerinage: Suisse
Paraphrase on Quartet from Verdi’s “Rigoletto”
Orage (Storm) from Book I Années de Pèlerinage: Suisse
Years of Pilgrimage, First Year: Switzerland
Romance oubliée
Les cloches de Genève: Nocturne, from from Années de Pélerinage: Suisse
Performances by same musician(s)
Prelude Op. 32, No. 5, in G Major
Rhapsody in G minor, Op. 79, No. 2
Ballade No. 4 in f minor, Op. 52
Tarantella, from Venezia e Napoli
Mélodie d'Orfée (tr. Sgambati)
Canzona serenata, from Forgotten Motives Op. 38
Cordoba, Op. 232, No. 4
Gretchen am Spinnrade (tr. Liszt)
Mazurka in A-flat Major, Op. 41, No. 4
Hommage à Rameau, from Images, Book 1
Classical Music for the Internet Era™
To purchase the CD or download this performance, click here.
Cedille Records is the recording label of The Chicago Classical Recording Foundation, a publicly-supported, not-for-profit, organization devoted to promoting the finest musicians, ensembles, and composers in the Chicago area by producing and releasing their efforts on audiophile-quality recordings. The recordings and their promotion are designed to stimulate interest in these performers and composers and bring their artistry to a wider audience. Cedille Records is also dedicated to promoting interest in neglected areas of the classical repertory by presenting masterpieces that have been overlooked by other recording companies.