Progetto Martha Argerich

italiano

Works

Franz Liszt

«Six Consolations»

 

Franz Liszt composed his six Consolations for piano around 1850; they were inspired by the poetic work of the same name by Charles-Augustin de Sainte-Beuve. The French writer’s Consolations are lyrics imbued with Christian spirit and dominated by a deep sense of sin. This meshed well with Liszt’s religious and literary orientation and inclinations: during those years, he seemed entirely intent on bringing further luster to his popularity by dedicating himself entirely to his work as a composer. Although the Consolations were inspired in a general way by Sainte-Beuve’s poetry, they do not follow any specific “programme”: in the six pieces – all relatively easy, technically – we find a confidential, familiar language that seems indebted in many ways to Schumann. The Consolation No. 3, in D-flat Major (Lento e placido), is based on a long, expressive melody played by the right hand and accompanied in arpeggios by the left; it is, justly, one of the most famous pieces in the entire series.

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Consolation n. 3 in re bemolle maggiore (Lento placido)

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Performance