“Before Liszt (episode 2), there was violinist Niccolo Paganini (1782-1840) and Farinelli- the stage name of castrato singer Carlo Broschi (1705-1782) who both achieved fame through their concert tours. No shortage of extravagant lifestyle and fan-following/ fans fainting over them during their time. In fact, the age of twenty-one, Liszt had decided to become a priest. What averted his inclination was Paganini’s violin playing. From “Etude Magazine, august 1916: “Was Liszt the Paganini of the Piano?” By Henry Finck Paganini arrived in Paris in March, 1831, on a tour which set all Europe aflame with wonder at the amazing brilliancy of his playing. He performed tricks with harmonics, double stopping and treble stopping, arpeggios, springing bow, together with “guitar effects,” pizzicato and arco simultaneously, and other things that astonished not only “the natives” but rival violinists, who could not understand how he did them. Liszt heard him, and like a flash the thought came to him: “What wonderful things might be done with the piano if its technical possibilities were developed as those of the violin have been by Paganini.” This was my first episode. Hopefully there is no need to check each episode.”
Fyliao via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/08/23