From a concert in 2009, here is the rare one of the group of three Liszt Verdi paraphrases published in 1859 (the other two being the almost ubiquitous Rigoletto, and Il Trovatore). Having recently criticised people's runs in Schubert D899, I'm not happy when I listen to mine here and can only hope I will be forgiven! I was also a bit naughty and changed Liszt's ending a little bit, though I think that's acceptable in this sort of repertoire. Anyway, enough of that.. I hope it's worth hearing.


Verdi-Liszt - Concert Paraphrase on Ernani

Andrew, I just finished listening to it now, and find it quite impressive playing! I'm unfamiliar with this work but can hear some very demanding passages in it, and though sometimes the performance is a bit rough, altogether it is a respectable performance and certainly does justice to Liszt. Thank you for posting it. I think it should be available to the public. The ending was fine whatever you did .

Okay, I forgive you.

Seriously, Andrew, like I've said before....Liszt would have loved you!
This sounded very nice and I have put it up on the site.

Despite that I've heard only a handful of Liszt's opera transcriptions (and played only one, the Rigoletto), it seems to me that this one is not among the best of them. There's too much empty rhetoric, and the tunes don't seem all too memorable (that last could be Verdi's fault, some of his tunes are IMO a bit banal). All this being personal taste of course.

Congratulations on a commanding performance though ! A piece like this is damn hard work, and to sail through it with nothing worse than some slightly less-than-perfect passage work is something to be proud of. Great sound too, for a live recording.

Fantastic playing, Andrew!!! Your control of technique in the first half is really amazing.

Good playing Andrew, especially so as it was in a concert.

I looked in the file header information and noticed that the recording was from an "Edinburgh Fringe transcriptions recital". I didn't realise that the fringe included such concerts. I might be encouraged to visit the fringe sometime in the future if they have piano recitals alongside the student shows.

Well done.

Mark
http://www.youtube.com/user/MarkBPiano

Thanks; it's probably not quite as hard as it sounds (I'll address this further in a later reply), but there is one short passage (which occurs twice) which I find fiendishly difficult and I did not play a tempo in the recording. Safety first, I'm afraid!



That's very nice of you



I have my doubts but it's a nice thought!

Fair points; it certainly doesn't rank amongst the great Liszt transcriptions, but I do have a soft spot for it.



One of Liszt's undoubted gifts, in the showman-pianist-composer department, is his ability to write music that sounds harder than it is. There are tricky corners in this, but much of the writing fits very pleasantly under the hand. I'd sooner tackle this than some of the harder Chopin etudes, that's for sure.



Helps when you have a spare audiophile to hand for setting up the equipment



Yes, it was from a full programme of transcriptions, which was rather hard work. Actually, anyone can perform as long as they pay the relevant fees. There is usually quite a wide range of classical concerts (piano, chamber, etc) listed in the Fringe brochure. Some maybe are student shows, but on occasion you do see some semi-famous names (John Ogdon once played at the Fringe, incidentally). I've done six concerts over the years; it's been valuable experience.

Andrew,

I just now had time to sit and listen. Wow, very impressive, especially for a live concert! I could never attempt a Liszt transcription. My arms would probably fall off, LOL. I couldn't tell what you added or changed, since I don't know the piece, but it sure sounded like a lot of fun (and work) to play!

You didn't happen to toss your gloves into the audience before playing, did you? (I'm sorry. Been a long week already and I couldn't resist).

~Adrienne

Hi Andrew,

Having just heard you play this transcription, I believe there are two "stars" to commend. First, you give us a rousing and exciting performance. And this music is quite difficult to play from the sound of it, so I commend you for your marvelous performance. Also we should recognize Liszt. He was always very thoughtful, creative and clever in finding the best approximations for the piano of the orchestral and vocal parts of an operatic score. That's why his transcriptions still "wear well" today. Verdi along with Puccini has always been a favorite of mine. But in this score he seems not to be up to his usual standard and level of inspiration. You and Liszt as a team did your best with this music, but I believe that Verdi's original musical material in this instance is often banal and shallow, although there are some lovely moments here and there which you bring out so well in your rendition. It was well worth studying and recording though, as it adds to your extensive repertoire of transcriptions. Excellent playing, Andrew! Thanks for sharing this lesser-known transcription.

David

Thanks; and yes, Liszt's paraphrases do tend to be great fun (hopefully for both performer and audience!) No gloves, but I did arrive in a carriage pulled by six white horses. Well, maybe not



As a melodist, I tend to prefer Bellini to Verdi, but in fairness this is not mature Verdi, which could explain what you (and Chris) feel about the original material. It may reflect the general falling from grace of transcriptions, but offhand I know of only one Puccini transcription (by Mikhashoff and recorded by Jean-Yves Thibaudet a few years ago). It was inevitable that I'd put this lesser-known transcription into a programme at some point; it is one of many contained in two Dover volumes of Liszt transcriptions which were practically my personal pianistic bible for many years!

Are the Melodist Christians?

Lisztians, more likely

Hey, I'm a Methodist!

You on meth, then ?