Unit 6: Liszt and La Campanella

Question 1

Dates

Answer 1

1811-1886

Question 2

Family Background and Education

Answer 2

Born in Raiding, Hungary
Father was a clerk, and had played cello in Haydn’s orchestra
First lessons were with his father; displayed talent at an early age, composing at the age of eight, concert debut at age nine

Question 3

Life and Musical Career

Answer 3

Early Years:

Greatest pianist of his era
His artistic circle included famous composers and performers including Berlioz, Chopin, and Paganini
Presented the first solo piano recital in London in 1840

Weimar Years:

Retired from performing career, and developed the “master class” teaching format

Late Years:

Travelled extensively in his final years

Question 4

Musical Style and Contributions

Answer 4

Musical works are virtuosic and also inspired by religious beliefs
Changed the “culture” of piano performance
Invented the “master class” approach
Employed thematic transformation: the process of modifying a theme through changes to rhythm, harmony, and orchestration

Question 5

Genres and Titles

Answer 5

Hungarian Fantasy
Les preludes
Transcendental Etudes

Question 6

V: etude

Answer 6

French for “study”
Solo instrumental work intended to develop technical facility
Focuses on one or more specific technical challenges

Question 7

La Campanella: Genre

Answer 7

Piano etude

Question 8

La Campanella: Source of Thematic Material

Answer 8

Violin Concerto No. 2 in B Major by Paganini