Below you will find the first listening assignment post for the Drummond Piano Studio. Each week, you will find information about the piece, composer, and performer and it’s relevance in music history. Then you will find 2-3 questions that you must answer and bring to your next lesson. For younger students, have your parents help you. Lastly, it is very important to listen to these pieces with as few distractions as possible.
Oct 22, 1811-July 31, 1886
Liebestraum No. 3
The first listening assignment is Liebestraum No. 3 and was composed by Franz Liszt in 1850. Originally Liebestraum was based on poems by Ludwig Uhland and Ferdinand Freiligrath and set to music by Liszt before he composed the solo keyboard version most universally recognized and performed.
Composer Biography
Franz Liszt was a prominent composer, conductor, critic, and teacher. However, he was most lauded as a performance pianist. He was like the Michael Jackson of the Romantic Period (1815-1910) of music. He was a rock star and said to be the most technically gifted pianist of his age. When he walked on stage, the audience went crazy and they threw roses at his feet.
Liszt was also a celebrated composer. He spent much of his time writing for the piano, both solo works and later in his life, orchestral works. Many of his solo piano works are considered very difficult and takes a master performer to play them properly.
Questions
- How many Liebestraum did Franz Liszt compose for solo piano?
- What does Liebestraum mean in English?
- Other than the Liebestraum, list 3 other pieces composed by Franz Liszt.
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