"WAGNER-LISZT: Liebestod" genre: Opera
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	Perhaps the most recognized of all Wagner's arias, the ever passionate Liebestod (Love Death) is the stirring conclusion of his opera Tristan and Isolde. Its highly charged musical atmosphere influenced an entire generation of composers. Liebestod codifies, in its innumerable thrusts and orgasmic climaxes (but also in compostional categories!) the act of sexual consummation. Isolde sings here of a love so great that even the death of her lover, whom she poisoned, can not overcome it. Liszt's is more of a literal tanscription rather than an improvisatory paraphrase, though his reconstruction of the original is hardly unimaginative, and no less inspiring. Even within this purely pianistic context, he proves himself once again the master of the genre, creating a most compelling translation of one of the greatest works of the western classical canon. Those among you who find the Liebestod intoxicating will be no less overwhlemed by other works of Liszt, included here, which are equally riveting for their energy, power and radiance. Listen, for example, to Liszt's magnificent B MINOR BALLADE; to his musically picaresque LES JEUX D'EAUX A LA VILLA D'ESTE; to the fabulous diabolerie of his famous MEPHISTO WALTZ; or even to his magnum opus, the larger-than-life SONATA IN B MINOR. Help yourself to the huge spirit and great heart that is indeed the wonderful, and ultimately spiritual music of Franz Liszt.
	Label: Enigma Credits: Recorded in concert, New York. March 1985.
	Story Behind the Song Recorded in Concert, New York, March 1985

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