Date: Sun, 23 Jul 1995 20:50:12 -0400 (EDT)
From: ROBERTFINLEY@delphi.com
Subject: Tannhauser Overture, Wagner-Liszt

Tannhauser Overture: Wagner arr. F Liszt.

During the mid 1850's, opera was a popular form of musical theatre,
and composers arranged music from them to show off their talents and
to popularize the opera.

Franz Liszt was a friend of Wagner's, supported him financially, and
greatly admired his music. He wrote this brilliant paraphrase from
the overture in 1849. It follows the original orchestral score closely.
When Wagner heard this he told Liszt that "It was like a wonderful
dream come true".

It is a very difficulty piece to play, containing almost every virtuoso
technicality possible such as octaves in both hands, arpeggios, tremolo
accompaniment, and two or more melodies playing together at the same
time.

It starts with the chordal melody (as used in the shorter "Pilgrims
Chorus" that Liszt transcribed), and then the string accompaniment is
simulated by the piano in the most ingenious way. This melody is played
several times in different variations. The coda is really fantastic,
with the melody accompanied by loud and fast alternating octaves in the
right and left hands, sounding like the bells of Big Ben.

When you listen to this and other Liszt transcriptions, you will agree
that Liszt was a genious, and probably the best arranger that ever
lived.

This file is around 130 KB long and has over 500 measures. It took me
two weeks to record. I recorded it with a Yamaha Clavinova and for best
effect it should be played on a similar digital piano with plenty
reverb.

I hope you enjoy this exciting and tremendous piece.

Robert Finley. July 22nd 1995.

ROBERTFINLEY@delphi.com.
finley.robert@mail.ndhm.gtegsc.com