Composer

:

Franz Liszt

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Waltz

Compose Date

:

before 1841

Average_duration

:

6:45

Franz Liszt's 'Valse infernale and Operatic Aria (after Meyerbeer), S. 701h/1-2' is a two-part composition that was composed in the late 1860s. The piece was premiered in 1869 in Weimar, Germany, and was later published in 1870. The first movement, 'Valse infernale,' is a waltz that is characterized by its dark and ominous tone. The piece begins with a slow and haunting melody that gradually builds in intensity as the waltz progresses. The waltz is marked by its use of chromaticism and dissonance, which create a sense of unease and tension throughout the piece. The waltz is also notable for its use of dynamic contrasts, with sudden shifts from soft and delicate passages to loud and powerful sections. The second movement, 'Operatic Aria (after Meyerbeer),' is a transcription of a vocal piece by the composer Giacomo Meyerbeer. The piece is characterized by its lyrical melodies and dramatic flourishes, which are typical of Meyerbeer's operatic style. Liszt's transcription of the piece is faithful to the original, with the addition of virtuosic piano passages that showcase the pianist's technical abilities. Overall, 'Valse infernale and Operatic Aria' is a complex and challenging piece that requires a high level of technical skill and musical sensitivity to perform. The piece is notable for its use of chromaticism, dissonance, and dynamic contrasts, which create a sense of tension and drama throughout the composition. The piece is also notable for its transcription of Meyerbeer's operatic style, which showcases Liszt's ability to adapt and transform existing musical material into a new and unique composition.

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