Composer

:

Franz Liszt

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Tarantella

Compose Date

:

1859

Publication Date

:

1907

Average_duration

:

8:02

Franz Liszt's 'Tarantella, S. 162/3' is a virtuosic piano piece that was composed in 1851. It was premiered by Liszt himself in the same year in Weimar, Germany. The piece is part of a larger collection of piano works called 'Venezia e Napoli', which was inspired by Liszt's travels to Italy. The 'Tarantella' is a lively dance that originated in southern Italy and was believed to cure the bite of the tarantula spider. Liszt's interpretation of the dance is a fast-paced and energetic piece that captures the spirit of the tarantella. The piece is in the key of A-flat major and is written in 6/8 time signature. The 'Tarantella' is divided into two main sections, with a slower middle section in between. The first section is marked 'Allegro vivace' and is characterized by rapid arpeggios and virtuosic runs that require great technical skill from the pianist. The middle section, marked 'Moderato', provides a brief respite from the frenzied pace of the first section. It features a lyrical melody that is played in the right hand while the left hand provides a simple accompaniment. The second section of the 'Tarantella' returns to the fast tempo of the first section and is marked 'Presto'. It features a new melody that is played in octaves and is accompanied by rapid arpeggios in the left hand. The piece ends with a flourish, as the pianist plays a series of ascending octaves that bring the piece to a thrilling conclusion. Overall, Liszt's 'Tarantella' is a challenging and exciting piece that showcases the pianist's technical skill and musicality. Its lively rhythms and virtuosic passages make it a popular choice for pianists looking to showcase their abilities.

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