Hello, everyone!

I think I need advice from collegues.
The issue is Liszt Ballade#2 in B minor!

I'm trying to find more information about this piece, that is when and why Liszt wrote it, what inspired him to do so. What images does the composer portrey in Ballade2.

Of course, the music itself tells a lot. That's true with music like this.But I'd also like to know more facts about this piace as well.

I invite those who know this piece, especially those who played it, to share your experience with this magnificant piece, and tell whatever your know about the backgraound of this piece!

Thanks!

Surprised no one has replied to this. The B minor Ballade is one of the great neglected masterworks. The story is Hero and Leander; the great waves at the beginning represent the flow of the Hellespont strait as Hero swims across to meet with his lover. Each night the water is more violent, and on the fourth night, Leander falls into the water and drowns, after which Hero flings himself from the tower and dies.

Liszt's ending definitely is not a tragic one, though. I think it's safe to say that he Disney-fied it in his head. There is certainly a storm at the end as the soaring waves of the Hellespont and the love duet commingle, but one way or another they make it out of the storm.

I'm not familiar enough with the work to speak authoritatively about it, but I do love listening to it when I'm in the mood for that sort of music.

Thanks, Jeffreyjones! So glad to get an answer at last! This is a beautiful story, and this images are just what I needed.
I agree that this piece is one the neglected masterpieces of Liszt, and I am really enjoying working on it. And now I hope that things will go much even. You know, with Liszt, images, stories upon which the composer bases his music, help a lot in transmitting these images.
Again, thank you!!!!

Yes, Horowitzian, and judging by your nick name, you must have heard a brilliant, superhuman version of Liszt Ballade #2 arranged and played by Horowitz!

Ha! If you are referring to that monstrosity from the late 1970's, I'm afraid not. A little too far off the deep end even for me.

Hero is the priestess in the tower, you got it opposite...

Well, there's hope after all!

It may not be terribly 'PC' of me to admit this, but my favourite recording of the Ballade is Arrau's resplendently magisterial version. His interpretation has such an intensely felt emotion, it leaves me drained every time I hear it (which is not often), and proves for all eternity the genius of Liszt's music.

I've heard a number of other recordings (Earl Wild seems particularly clueless- he treats the opening as a chromatic etude), but Arrau's the one to beat. IMO of course...

I agree completely. Arrau can't be beat in this one, for my money.

Here's a few from YouTube:

Horowitz, part 1
Arrau, 80th birthday recital, part 1 (my favorite of these!)
Leslie Howard, part 1

Joseph Villa's is one of the finest. Not easy to find though, sadly.

What! This is one of the few times Horowitz gets Liszt right. You guys are nuts!

If you want a great learning piece which is substitutable for an Etude how about the Schumann Tocatta. Its one of my favorite pieces. 18 pages of challenging material. Good luck. Let us know what you pick.

I fully agree! Arrau's version reveals Liszt's images wonderfully. Now it is my favourite interpretation.