Liszt's piano transcriptions of Chopin's songs, Op. 74, illustrate how Liszt expanded the range of pianistic techniques and sonorities, and how he intended to create technically demanding music for his own concert repertoire as well as to promote Chopin?s songs. The nineteenth century saw growing interest in and popularity of piano transcriptions--of which Liszt was the most prolific composer--which provided a vehicle for new sonorities in a different medium. Liszt's transcriptions focus on the composer's musical portrayal of the original text, as well as his use of expression markings, virtuosic and improvisational elements, and ossia. For example, in Liszt's transcription, Frühling, of Chopin?s song Wiosna, Liszt transforms Chopin's tempo and markings of andantino with semplice and sempre legato to andantino malinconico with una corda and un poco pesante, creating more descriptive instructions. Liszt's transcription, Meine Freunden, of Chopin's Moja Pieszczotka shows Liszt's free, improvisatory writing style, his own tempo and expression marks, his virtuosic writing, and his use of ossia. The comparisons among several editions of the Liszt transcriptions with respect to editorial indications, including pedaling, fingering, and text, are a useful source for modern pianists.

Works: Liszt: Transcription of Chopin's Six Chant Polonais, Op. 74 (64-131).

Sources: Chopin: Six Chant Polonais, Op. 74 (64-131).

Index Classifications: 1800s

Contributed by: Hyun Joo Kim