Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2, S.244/2, is the second in a set of 19 Hungarian Rhapsodies by Liszt, and by far the most famous of the set. It offered the pianist to reveal his exceptional virtuoso skills while providing the listener with an immediate musical appeal. Composed in 1847 and first published by Ricordi as piano solo, this work showcases Liszt’s nationalist influences. Its inmediate succes led to the creation of orchestral and duet piano versions.
By the late 19th century, the technical challenges of the piano solo version led to its unofficial acceptance as a standard by which every notable pianist could demonstrate his level. It had become an expected staple of virtually every performance of the greatest pianists. Most unusual is the composer’s explicit invitation for the performer to improvise an original cadenza, an invitation most performers chose to decline.
5 comments
February 21, 2014 at 8:20 am
stephenpruis
You didn’t comment on the hair-raising difficult of these pieces and as such constituted a “throw down” by Liszt to his competition. In effect he was saying “if you think you can play as well as I, then Play This!”
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February 21, 2014 at 10:01 am
syrbal-labrys
Oh, the memories these invoke! Thank you!
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February 22, 2014 at 10:02 am
The Arbourist
@Srybal
Glad to be of service. :) This is on my list of “want to play some day far in the (far) future.
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February 22, 2014 at 10:04 am
syrbal-labrys
Of course this morning, I am enjoying totally different things — I’m on a YouTube binge of 2cellos!
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February 22, 2014 at 10:16 am
The Arbourist
Nice. :) Have you seen what the pianoguys do with cellos and stuff? It may appeal or make you go “ick” depending what you’re after, but the PG’s take on music, much of featuring solo cello, is very interesting.
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