(Christopher Duigan)
Duigan performs Liszt, the ultimate piano virtuoso
This month KZN audiences can enjoy Christopher Duigan
performing a programme of music by the ultimate piano virtuoso, Franz Liszt (1811-86).
Duigan’s programme includes a stellar selection of
celebrated and dazzling compositions, including the popular Liebestraum, La campanella, Hungarian
Rhapsody No 2, and Un sospiro, in a
thrilling introduction to the life and music of the great Hungarian composer.
As regular Music Revival audiences will know, Duigan
customarily laces his programmes with interesting anecdotal and factual
content: “As an 11-year old boy, Liszt was said to have received a 'kiss' of
acknowledgement from Beethoven in Vienna. He was inspired by his contemporary,
the French composer Hector Berlioz, to create a world of musical fantasy, and
the Italian violin virtuoso Nicola Paganini urged him to dazzle with 'devilish
technique', while his Polish associate Fredrik Chopin encouraged him to seduce
the hearts and souls of his audiences with poetry for the piano.”
“Liszt took minor religious orders in later life, partially
fulfilling his dream of becoming a priest. He rewrote major orchestral works
including the nine symphonies of Beethoven for solo piano and is said to have
played them more effectively than any orchestra. He invented the 'piano
recital' and established many of the norms of the concert experience still
practiced to this day. This includes pianists playing the compositions of
others from memory and turning the piano 'side-on' to the audience to enhance
the acoustic propulsion of the piano. Apparently, this was also so audiences
could admire his noble profile. His concerts were a series of public triumphs,
and he swept all of Europe before him (including touring Spain, Portugal,
Turkey, Russia, England, France, Austria and Turkey) before retiring from
concert life, aged 36. When asked why he hadn’t written the story of his life,
Liszt famously replied, ‘Because I was too busy living it’.”
Duigan’s Liszt recital itinerary includes performances in a
number of venues, including among others: Grace Hall, Ashton International
College, Albertina Way in Ballito tomorrow (August 22) at 19h00; the Tatham Art
Gallery in Pietermaritzburg on August 26 at 15h00; and St Agnes Church in Kloof
on August 28 at 19h30.
Book at booking@musicrevival.co.za or 083 417 4473 (SMS or
WhatsApp preferred).