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Death and Demons

Donald Macleod focuses on the influences on Liszt's early life, including seeing Paganini perform, and how these led to his becoming a virtuoso.

Liszt's father Adam took charge of his son's career once his remarkable talent had become obvious, finding teachers for him and arranging concerts. He died suddenly when Liszt was still a teenager, and a preoccupation with death appears in the young composer's music from here on in. Seeing the phenomenal Paganini perform in 1830 was a blinding flash of revelation, and he set out to become the Paganini of the piano. With Donald Macleod.

1 hour

Music Played

  • Franz Liszt

    Hungarian historical portraits S.205 for piano

    Performer: Leslie HOWARD - Piano

    • HYPERION.
    • CDA-66448.
  • Franz Liszt

    Harmonies poetiques et religieuses - 10 pieces S.173 for piano

    Performer: Brigitte ENGERER - Piano

    • Naive.
    • V5061.
  • Franz Liszt

    Totentanz S.126 for piano and orchestra

    Conductor: George PEHLIVANIAN Performer: Louis LORTIE - Piano Performer: Hague Residentie Orchestra

    • CHANDOS.
    • CHAN- 9864.
  • Franz Liszt

    Annees de pelerinage - 2me annee, Italie S.161

    Performer: Mikhail PLETNEV (1957) - Piano

    • DG.
    • DG 457 629-2.

Broadcasts

  • Tue 26 Jul 2011 12:00
  • Tue 26 Jul 2011 18:30

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