#hungariancomposers

[deborahdeshoftim5779]

Franz Liszt- Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2

In my continued bid to torture myself by listening to Franz Liszt, I came across Jonah Ho who plays these astounding works from memory... aged 9. Yes, just 9 years old. Watch with a mixture of awe and dismay. In all seriousness, this just demonstrates what children can do when they put their minds to something. Hence why we should introduce children to a musical education. 

[musicainextenso]

Today we continue our new special series dedicated to the National Anthems of The World, here at Musica in Extenso.

For this entry I chose the Hungarian Anthem, because I’m hungarian, by the way. The music was composed by the famous hungarian composer, Ferenc Erkel in 1844 and the poem was written by Ferenc Kölcsey in 1823.

Usually is performed with just the first verse, below you will find the text in english translation:

O God, bless the nation of Hungary With your grace and bounty Extend over it your guarding arm During strife with its enemies Long torn by ill fate Bring upon it a time of relief This nation has suffered for all sins Of the past and of the future!

Enjoy! - Editor-in-Chief

[deborahdeshoftim5779]

Franz Liszt Liebestraum No. 3 Nottorno. Played by Barenboim. 

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Liszt, Grande paraphrase de la marche de Donizetti. S.403 (Filjak). 

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Another depressingly astonishing work from Franz Liszt: Réminiscences de Lucrezia. Played by William Wolfram. 

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Liszt, Transcendental Étude No. 8, Wilde Jagd. Played by Evgeny Kissin. 

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For fans of Franz Liszt, some rare pictures. 

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Liszt, Capriccio alla turca sur des motifs de Beethoven. S388. Played by Yoo. 

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Franz Liszt’s Soirées Italiennes S411. Played by Luisi. 

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Liszt - Galop, S218 (France Clidat)

This is unreal. Absolutely unreal. 

[deborahdeshoftim5779]

The music of Franz Liszt both astonishes and depresses me. The former, because of the intimidating virtuosity inside his music-- including music he adapted from other composers. 

The latter, for the exact same reason. I very much doubt that I will be able to play his works. Instead, I can only listen to the fortunate pianist who has bled to death in order to play these. 

What I most admire about Liszt was his furious devotion to the craft of playing piano. After watching the great violin virtuoso Niccolo Paganini performing, he decided to become the same on the piano. No wonder, then, that he transcribed Paganini for that same instrument. 

This is Liszt’s Paganini Étude S.161 No.3 “La Campanella”. 

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The composer and organist Balint Karosi, performing a demonstration of the 1692 Schnitger organ, in Norden, Germany. The resonance and power of this organ, which is over 328 years old, is astonishing.