Hungarian piano virtuoso Franz Liszt produced some of the most technically demanding masterpieces to ever be transcribed for the piano. His rhapsodies dazzle with their depth and intricacies.
Liebestraum refers to a single "dream of love" in German. It is an appropriate title for such a passionate and sentiment piece such as Liebestraum No. 3. Recorded in 1850, it is known for its singing melody, an air of dreamlike delicacy. Yet there are underlying technically demanding sequences which add to the mastery. One cannot begin to describe the piece with words alone; music is made as an alternate form of expression. However, it is important to note that anyone can play the notes required on the sheet music. It is only when the interpretation includes passion and the pianist's own life experience that the piece comes alive.
Once I thought that freedom of interpretation of sheet music was ludicrous. Surely what is written sounds the same so long as it is played correctly. However, I am certainly proved wrong by the great performers of today. Each has their own life experience, each expresses their interpretation through the intricacies of touch. Many believe that this piece can simply not be interpreted by young prodigies because they know not of love.
Sappy as it sounds, it is impossible to deny this philosophy. Simply put, there are only 12 notes which we can distinguish by ear. Nevertheless, we are able to create different melodies by the way we input ourselves into music.
Here are two concert pianists and pouring their own emotions into the 160yr old piece.
Fantastic article, confirming many of the things that I have begun to think about recently in terms of myself as a maturing pianist. I think that as you grow older there becomes apparent many things about the piano exist outside of technical mastery; it is a beautiful concept that a piece only truly comes alive when the musician's own life experience drives the playing.
ReplyDeleteBefore recently I had struggled to find the motivation to learn Liebestraum in its entirety, but these ideas have intrigued me to study this piece with more vigor and concentration. It is my favorite piece from Lizst.