Classical Music | Piano Music

Recorded on 06/29/2016, uploaded on 01/28/2017

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

This Hungarian Rhapsody in A minor features an extensive use of the gypsy scale and begins with a highly ornamented, almost arabesque, lament (andante sostenuto). This lament transitions to a second theme in the bel canto style (operatic melody over a simple accompaniment). After a grand climactic section with a dazzling cadenza, the andante sostenuto gives way to a vivace, featuring virtuosic techniques such as repeated notes and alternating octaves between the hands. Although one of the lesser performed works of Liszt, the vivace contains a theme later used in the well-known allegro molto vivace from Ziguenerweisen (1878) for violin and orchestra by Pablo de Sarasate. This rhapsody, in particular, is one of the artist’s personal favorites.             Notes by Wikipedia

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.