Credits:

Marie-Pierre Langlamet

Description:

This is a series of works on Aubert's theme, a relatively humble collection among Liszt's brilliant arrangements. This is probably due not to the quality of the works themselves, but simply to the fact that the original works themselves are now forgotten. For example, "Bravura Tarantella on the Tarantella from "The Mute Daughter of Portici"" was so popular at the time when Liszt was active that he himself liked it so much that he made a revised version 23 years after he published the first draft (although the difference between the first and second drafts is almost negligible). (However, there is almost no difference between the first and second drafts.) The piece is written in the form of "Introduction-Theme-Variations," which is the standard form of fantasy music of this period, and it is a difficult piece that requires a high level of skill from the player. The "Three Pieces," which also takes its theme from the same opera, was not published during Liszt's lifetime, and although the title says "Three," there are only two of them, making this a somewhat half-hearted work. It is, however, highly accomplished and a pleasure to listen to. The two works on Verdi themes are likewise technically challenging, and at the time, Liszt enhanced his own charisma by performing them to perfection.The piece is beautifully performed by Wai-Ye Wong, a young female pianist born in Hong Kong. Naxos Japan