Founded in 1964 Volume 27, Issue 2, Summer/Fall 2011

AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN LISZT SOCIETY, INC. 2012 Annual Festival/Conference to TABLE OF CONTENTS Convene in Eugene, Oregon in May

1 2012 Festival/Conference The annual Festival/Conference of The American Liszt Society will take place Eugene, OR May 17 - 20 May 17 - 20, 2012 at the in Eugene. Under the artistic direction of Alexandre Dossin, the 2012 Festival is entitled "Liszt in " and will celebrate Liszt's great compositional achievements during the prolific Weimar years: the Sonata 2 President’s Message in B Minor, , a relatively rare performance of Berlioz's for solo , and other great works. 3 Letter from the Editor The Festival begins Thursday at 8:00pm, with a performance by the Eugene Symphony , conducted by Danail Rachev and featuring pianist Adam Golka playing the Liszt No. 1. Also on the program will be the "Hungarian 4 Parish Alvars: (Rákóczy) March" from Berlioz's Damnation of Faust, also used by Liszt as the basis for "The Liszt of the Harp" his Hungarian Rhapsody No. 15, and the Bruckner Symphony No. 6. University of Illinois Honors Liszt The next day's musical activities begin with a concert featuring music of Bach and Liszt for piano and organ, followed by a lecture on the city of Weimar. A lieder recital of music by Liszt and Beethoven, and a lecture on Liszt's in Weimar complete 5 Member News the morning schedule. Following lunch, attendees will be treated to a lecture on "A New Perspective on ," followed by a presentation on Liszt and the lied. 6 Liszt Sonata Transcribed for Violin Jonathan Kregor, newly-named Editor of the Journal of The American Liszt Society, will then talk about Liszt as musical transcriber, followed by a recital of opera transcriptions Alkan Society Seeks Information for piano, and then a recital of songs originally composed by Schubert paired with their transcriptions for piano by Liszt. The evening session begins with a performance 7 Chapter News of the Liszt Sonata in B Minor, followed by Alan Walker's lecture, "Who was Carl Lachmund?". (Lachmund was in fact a student of Liszt and at one time served as Dean of the University of Oregon School of Music. He will be honored during the 8 Arizona State University Celebrates Festival with a posthumous presentation of the Medal of The American Liszt Society.) Liszt Bicentennial A solo piano recital by Antonio Pampa-Baldi, Distinguished Professor of Piano at the New Liszt Autograph Available Cleveland Institute of Music, concludes the evening. Historic Christ Church Celebrates Saturday morning begins with a presentation on "Liszt and the Nationalists," Liszt Bicentennial followed by a lecture on the symphonic poems and then a recital of Liszt's music for two pianos. After a lunch break, the relationship between Liszt and Berlioz will be the focus of a lecture and performances of two works by Berlioz, including a solo 9 ALS Directory Updates piano transcription of the Symphonie Fantastique featuring five different pianists. "Symbolism in the Sonata in B Minor" is the subject of a paper by Tibor Szasz, read by ALS President Thomas Mastroianni, followed by a recital of Liszt "favorites" 10 Liszt-Garrison International performed by Luis de Moura Castro. The evening is given over to a master class with Competition Winners the great American pianist and pedagogue, John Perry, who will work with winners "Liszt 200 Chicago" Winners from the Liszt-Garrison International Festival and Competition, and the Los Angeles International Liszt Competition, both co-sponsored by The American Liszt Society. 11 2011 ALS Conference: The evening closes with a presentation of the Medal of The American Liszt Society to A Retrospective by Its Host family descendants of Carl Lachmund.

Perpetuating the ideas of Franz Liszt through excellence in music performance and scholarship PRESIDENT President’s Message Thomas Mastroianni* The Catholic University of America School of Music Washington D.C. 20064 [email protected] PRESIDENT EMERITUS Fernando Laires

VICE PRESIDENT Jay Hershberger* Concordia College Music Department Moorhead, MN 56562 [email protected]

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Dear Colleagues, Justin Kolb* 1136 Hog Mountain Road Fleischmanns, NY 12430 At the conclusion of the bicentennial year of Liszt’s birth, it is quite [email protected] apparent that the appreciation of and love for Liszt and his music has reached a new high throughout the whole world. The trajectory MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Barbara Mellon Kolb* of this rocketing enthusiasm would have been difficult to imagine 1136 Hog Mountain Road just a few decades ago. This issue of the newsletter could hardly Fleischmanns, NY 12430 contain a small portion of the many celebrations that have taken place [email protected] worldwide. Members of ALS can rightly boast of the significant part played by those of us who are dedicated to Liszt. TREASURER Nancy Roldán* There are a great many Lisztians who have made spectacular PO 1707 contributions this year, and to mention only a few would be unfair. Owens Mills, MD However there are two dedicated and gifted individuals whose ALS [email protected] terms of office will be completed this year and for whom mention is ALS JOURNAL indeed appropriate: Rena Charnin-Mueller, whose term as Editor Jonathan Kregor, Editor was completed with the publication of the bicentennial issue of the Mary Emery Hall Room 4240 Journal of the American Liszt Society, and Nancy Roldán, whose term Cincinnati College-Conservatory as Treasurer and Executive Committee Member will be completed at PO Box 210003 the next meeting of the Board of Directors. Cincinnati OH 45221-0003 [email protected] As Editor of JALS, Rena Charnin-Mueller has brought a level of excellence to the Journal that we are all proud to reflect upon. Of ALS NEWSLETTER the many wonderful issues on our bookshelves, special mention Edward Rath must be made of the issue of tribute to Fernando Laires, long-time 2603 Copper Tree Road Champaign, IL 61822-7518 president and a founder of ALS, and the recent offering for the Liszt [email protected] bicentennial. In all of Rena’s work the high level of scholarship and sound judgment as Editor is unswerving and admirable. We are BOARD OF DIRECTORS deeply indebted to her for this excellent work. Jonathan Kregor has Paul Barnes been designated as the new Editor of JALS. Luiz de Moura Castro Alexandre Dossin As ALS Treasurer, Nancy Roldán has brought us into the Gila Goldstein 21st Century. The difficult task of compliance with government Jay Hershberger regulations, record keeping, and fiscal order has been handled Geraldine Keeling with amazing efficiency and clarity. Only a musician with a mind Jonathan Kregor Barbara Mellon Kolb passionate for organization and detail such as hers could have served Justin Kolb this task so well. We not only thank her but have a special place in Elyse J. Mach our hearts for the dedication she has shown. She will continue as Thomas Mastroianni President of the Baltimore/Washington Chapter. Ksenia Nosikova We eagerly anticipate our next festival in May on the campus of Edward Rath Nancy Roldán the University of Oregon in Eugene. The focus of the festival will be Boaz Sharon on Liszt’s Weimar years. Don’t miss the wonderful events (see story Steven Spooner on page 1 of this issue) planned as Alexandre Dossin hosts this first Helen Smith Tarchalski ALS festival of the third century AL. Alan Walker William Wellborn Richard Zimdars Thomas Mastroianni President, American Liszt Society 1420 Chilton Dr. *Member, Executive Committee Silver Spring, MD 20904 www.americanlisztsociety.net

The American Liszt Society Letter from the Editor - More Reminiscences

Dear Fellow Lisztians! At the risk of seeming self indulgent, I wanted to continue - actually conclude - the story of how music became a part of my very being. The move from Oklahoma City to Milwaukee, where the story left off in the previous issue, was profoundly significant in my musical development. The much larger city with its mixture of many peoples, especially those of German and Polish descent with their beautiful churches and (for me) strange languages, had an immediate excitement and appeal. While my piano studies were more or less put on hold for a short time, I began my participation in band, learning how to rudimentarily play most of the brass and woodwind instruments by the age of 13. As a first-year high school student, band was a high point of the day, and it was also at this time that I came under the influence of a magnificent piano teacher, Elfrieda Winninger, who nurtured my interest in both piano and organ - she being the organist at one of the city's largest and most prestigious churches. It was about this time that the Milwaukee Pops Orchestra started its evolution into the Milwaukee Symphony, precipitated (in the minds of some people) by a concert that took the city by storm. Enter young Van Cliburn to solo in the Tchaikowsky First with Harry John Brown on the podium. This was a mere six months after Cliburn's astounding win of the Tchaikowsky Competition in Moscow. The princely sum of twenty dollars allowed me two good seats for the concert, but the demand by and interest on the part of many students led the orchestra's management to provide tickets for the dress rehearsal for only $3.00 - and the Auditorium was packed with upwards of 3,000 young people. Because I had the good fortune to live next door to the orchestra's librarian, thus having a ride home after rehearsals and concerts by the orchestra, it was not surprising to the backstage guards for me to walk through the gate and wait for my "chauffeur." So, before the cascading octaves and interlocking chords of the concerto's ending had sounded, I quickly left my seat and figured that I could probably see Mr. Cliburn if I hurried. Much to my surprise, my plan worked (I nearly fainted when I shook his hand!), just as it had in meeting Arthur Fiedler, Ralph Votapek, Jose Iturbi and his sister Amparo, and any number of other piano luminaries and conductors. My interest in band as a bassoonist of some accomplishment extended into the realm of arranging works for wind ensemble, including symphonies, piano pieces, organ sonatas. The American Liszt Society The facility I gained in transposing instrumental parts and reading four clefs, plus the PRESIDENT polyphonic possibilities of three and four voice works played on the organ as a church Thomas Mastroianni organist each Sunday, developed in me a sense of appreciation for the genius of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and others. Liszt was yet to appear - but appear he did! NEWSLETTER EDITOR Edward Rath To major in music in college was not completely unexpected, and attending Lawrence 2603 Copper Tree Road University enabled me to pursue both piano and organ, the former with an outstanding Champaign, IL 61822-7518 teacher and performer, Theodore Rehl. My freshman year allowed me to hear two concerts tel: (217) 377-3441 by artists who would later have a great impact on my life: a recital by Jorge Bolet, who [email protected] later became a friend, and a recital by Janos Starker and György Sebök, who became my mentors at Indiana University. It was Bolet's playing of Vallée d'Obermann that set Submit change of address information to: me afire, and a hearing of Liszt'sTotentanz ignited my passion for Liszt even more. I MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY quickly learned Funérailles and later Mephisto No. 1 and Valse Oubliée, among others, and Barbara Mellon Kolb purchased as much Liszt music as I could afford. At the time, being the early 60's, many 1136 Hog Mountain Road Fleischmanns, NY 12430 people looked down on Liszt. Certainly not Bolet, of course, but it was not always easy for [email protected] me to champion his music let alone program it without some sense of derision from a few in more "tasteful" quarters. But, I persevered, and the music of Liszt continues to bring

Design: John Bonadies joy to my heart, tears to my eyes, and an appreciation for a person who was both a sign of Layout: Edward Rath his times and a herald of the future in music and the arts. This newsletter is published twice annually, with a circulation of approximately 600 per issue. ED An official publication of the The American Liszt Society, Inc. ©2012 ALS, all rights reserved. Edward Rath, Editor

The American Liszt Society Volume 27, Issue 2, Summer/Fall 2011 3 Parish Alvars - “The Liszt of the Harp” by Dr. Ann Yeung

Two hundred years ago, the beginning Academy in 1822, most likely due to In the first movement of Liszt’s"Dante" of the nineteenth century was a fertile his inability to pay the tuition. Thanks Symphony, he specifies that if there is no time for instrument makers, with to the sponsorship of patrons, he was harp available, the diminished seventh much innovation and competition. able to study composition and voice chordal glissandi be omitted rather than In 1811, the first double-action pedal in Florence. He briefly returned to played on another instrument. Liszt harp was sold in London by Sébastien London and then embarked on tours was at one time fond of Rosalie Spohr, Erard, who had also developed the throughout Europe, to Scandinavia, to niece of Louis Spohr and a virtuoso in double-escapement mechanism for Russia, and as far as Constantinople. her own right, and requested her to play the piano. Erard patented his double- In 1843, Mendelssohn organized Parish Alvars’ Oberon Fantasy, Op. 59 action harp mechanism in 1810. Soon some concerts in Dresden and Leipzig (dedicated to Liszt) on occasion. Liszt there was debate about which would (where Berlioz met him). After a also granted permission in 1884 for the gain supremacy – the single-action fall on Mount Vesuvius during the transcription of several of his pianos by harp, or the newly developed double- 1844-45 winter holidays, his attention Wilhelm Posse, who studied with Parish action harp, embraced by some such as turned more towards his compositions Alvars’ student Constantine Grimm in the infamous Nicolas-Charles Bochsa and his concerts featured music he , and considered by Liszt to be the who has been convicted in absentia composed. In 1846 he was named “greatest harpist since Parish Alvars.” in his native France, now finding his Imperial Virtuoso and began teaching For more info on Parish Alvars, fortune in London. Into this milieu, at the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde please visit parishalvars.com. Elias Parish Alvars (1808-1849) was in . In 1848, riots erupted born into humble circumstances in in Vienna. The Gesellschaft der Dr. Ann Yeung is the harp professor the seaside town of Teignmouth, Musikfreunde suddenly closed and and Chair of the String Division at Devonshire, England. His brief life, did not pay the previous six months the University of Illinois at Urbana- intersection and collaborations with of salary owed. Unable to leave and Champaign, and Editor of the World some of the most significant musicians with his health in decline, Parish Alvars Harp Congress Review. of the time such as , Carl died in 1849, his brilliant life cut short, Czerny, Franz Liszt, , unlike Liszt. Simon Sechter, Sigismund Thalberg, Parish Alvars’ compositions fully University of Illinois Honors and Ignaz von Seyfried would elicit embraced the range and capabilities comparison between Liszt and himself, of the double-action harp and also Franz Liszt on October 22 and Parish Alvars would greatly demonstrate his virtuosity as a influence the development of solo performer. “Three-handed technique,” The University of Illinois Temple Buell and orchestral repertoire for the harp multiple harmonics, chordal glissandi, Gallery was the scene of two concerts through his teaching, performances and enharmonics are just a few of the celebrating Liszt's 200th Birthday on compositions. compositional techniques found Saturday, October 22. The first concert In June 1842, Liszt wrote in the in his compositions, and his use of included graduate student musicians Neue Zeitschrift für Musik of “the harmony is far more chromatic than playing a varied program of works by glowing imagination which lives in his contemporaneous harpist-composer Franz Liszt, many familiar shorter works [Parish Alvars’] compositions.” In peers. His works include overtures, but also including a rare performance of 1843 in Dresden, Hector Berlioz concerti (including one dedicated to the composer's Grand Concert Duo for heard a concert and proclaimed Parish Liszt), symphonies, as well as his solo violin and piano, and the Elegy for cello Alvars to be “the Liszt of the Harp.” works for harp. and piano. Parish Alvars’ abilities as well as his Parish Alvars’ influence on Berlioz Later that evening, Sinfonia da compositional innovations for the and Liszt can be found in their works Camera presented an all-Liszt Concert newly developed double-action pedal and use of the double-action harp and in the Foellinger Great Hall of the harp impressed Berlioz, and it was not its unique timbres. In his Grand traité Krannert Center for the Performing long after that Berlioz lamented the d’instrumentation et d’orchestration Arts in Urbana. (ALS members who lack of capable harpists, or Parish Alvars moderne, Berlioz extols the use of the attended the 2004 Festival in Urbana students, in his experiences with various double-action harp, has idiomatic will remember this ensemble, which in in his Mémoires. suggestions for usage of the harp, presented two concerts of nearly all Some parallels between Parish Alvars and calls Parish Alvars “the most the concerted works of Liszt featuring and Liszt can be drawn in their lives extraordinary player.” Berlioz also pianists from ALS.)The orchestra was and legacies. Parish Alvars gained his writes of having “a vague feeling of ideal conducted by its Founding Music first musical training from his father, an romantic love” when viewing a fine Director, Ian Hobson, a Life Member organist and voice teacher who owned harp and calls for the use of eight to ten of ALS. The program included the a music shop. Parish Alvars soon began harps in the final part ofLa Damnation orchestrated version of the "Mephisto" travel to London to take harp lessons of Faust (dedicated to Liszt). Waltz, a stunning performance of the with Bochsa, one of the founders of Liszt’s appreciation of Parish Alvars, Hungarian Fantasy, with Hobson as the Royal Academy of Music; however, the harp, and Parish Alvars students’ soloist and conductor, and the "Dante" Parish Alvars was not accepted into the students can be found in history. Symphony.

4 The American Liszt Society Member News

In celebration of the bicentennial of anniversary with other "Friends of of excerpts from the solo piano the birth of Franz Liszt, Paul Barnes, Franz," celebrating at the intimate arrangement of Ravel's Daphnis et ALS Board member and Hixson-Lied eighth-floor salon of Pianoforte Chloé, as well as her own arrangement Professor of Piano at the University Chicago. The festivities included music of the solo piano version of La Valse. of Nebraska, presented a recital performed by some of the fine pianists For more information, see Laura's entitled, "Music as Sacrament in the of the Chicago area, both professionals website, www.laurakargul.com/. B Minor Sonata." The recital took and students. This was the inaugural place October 22 in Kimball Recital event that organizers hope will lead to Justin Kolb, ALS Executive Secretary, Hall on the University of Nebraska- establishment of the Chicago/ Midwest performed a concert at Grusin Music Lincoln campus. Paul also presented Chapter of The American Liszt Society. Hall of the University of Colorado on the program in Minot, ND for the Daniel and Alexander laid groundwork October 8. A composition by the Liszt benefit of the Salvation Army, similar last summer for the founding of a protégé, Herman Cohen, along with to Liszt's doing something of the same local Liszt Society chapter with ALS the not-often performed "Apparitions" thing for victims of floods in Chapter Chairman Paul Barnes, and of Liszt, celebrated Liszt as both a in 1838. Paul also soloed with the ALS President Thomas Mastroianni. composer and a teacher. The Cohen Minot Symphony, under the direction Daniel and Alexander are pleased to work is a transcription of "Casta Diva" of ALS member Dennis Simons, in a report that, to date, three important from the opera Norma by Bellini. performance of Liszt's Concerto No. 2 in musical entities have agreed to be host Music by American composers Aaron A Major. institutions for the chapter: Wheaton Copland, Robert Cucinotta, and Robert College Conservatory of Music, the Starer rounded out the recital program. Michele Campanella, President of the Music Institute of Chicago, and Italian Chapter of the American Liszt Pianoforte Foundation. Approval will José R. López, Coordinator Society, was the featured soloist with be officially sought from The American of Keyboard Studies at Florida the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in Liszt Society Board of Directors at the International University and President performances of Liszt's Concerto No. 1 2012 ALS Festival in Eugene. Both of the South Florida chapter at FIU, in E-Flat Major. The concerts took take gentlemen look forward to creating a completed the recording of the solo place September 30, October 1, and group that will promote the music and piano works by Italian dodecaphonic October 4 with Maestro Ricardo Muti ideals of Liszt through presentations of composer Riccardo Malipiero (1914 - conducting. The concert was a repeat performances, lectures, and educational 2003). The CD will be released on the of the same program performed by the events, and will be connected to the Toccata Classics label in the Spring of CSO to mark the 100th anniversary of American Liszt Society is a part. Both 2012. Liszt's birth in 1911. welcome support, input, and creative ideas from the ALS membership. Please John Maltese and John Anthony Walter Cosand performed the entire join them in this new venture. Maltese, the authorized biographers Twelve Transcendental Études by Liszt of Jascha Heifetz, recently collaborated at Arizona State University's Katzin Madeleine Hsu Forte was honored by with filmmaker Peter Rosen on a Concert Hall in October and also in Boise State University for her 26 years documentary entitled, Jascha Heifetz: Tallahassee, FL at the Florida State of service. The Alumni bought in her God's Fiddler. The film opened on University's Opperman Music Hall name a Steinway concert grand that is November 11, 2011, at New York's in November. On the latter program, now placed in her former office. They QUAD Cinema. Emmy and Peabody he also performed Liszt's Fantasy on also organized a weekend of festivities award-winner Peter Rosen has also Motives from Beethoven's "Ruins of between Oct 14 and 17. Forte joined made films about , Byron Athens" for two pianos with Heidi alumni in concert, at which a work for Janis, Arthur Rubinstein, and Arturo Louise Williams. five pianists and written in her honor by Toscanini. For more information, one of her former students, Hungarian please visit www.peterrosenproductions. Robert Delcamp, Professor of Music Janos Kery from Budapest, was com/productions/jaschaheifetz/. and University Organist at The performed. Her new memoir, Simply University of the South in Sewanee, Madeleine, was sold out at a recent Thomas Mastroianni, President of The TN, played a recital of Liszt's organ book signing. The book is available American Liszt Society, was featured in works on October 22nd in the school's from authorhouse.com, amazon.com, a concert presented by the Alexandria All Saints' Chapel. Dr. Delcamp's and barnesandnoble.com. (VA) Symphony Orchestra on program included Prelude and Fugue November 5 at 8:00 p.m. Mastroianni on B-A-C-H; two Chopin Préludes; Laura Kargul performed four all-Liszt performed the Liszt transcription of Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen; two programs in Maine during October to Schubert's "Wanderer" Fantasy for Piano "," and the Fantasy and celebrate the Liszt bicentennial. Kargul and Orchestra. The program also Fugue on "Ad nos, ad salutarem undam." is a professor of music and the director featured Saint-Saëns' Symphony No. 3 in of the piano program at the University C Minor ("Organ Symphony"), which Alexander Djordjevich, Daniel Horn, of Southern Maine. Her solo CD, was dedicated to Liszt. and Chicago-area Lisztians spent the Liszt and Ravel: Transcriptions for Piano, (continued on page 6) evening of Liszt's 200th birthday includes the world premiere recording

The American Liszt Society Volume 27, Issue 2, Summer/Fall 2011 5 More Member (continuedNews from page 5) Life member James Oakes presented Gilded Age Museum in Lenox, MA. Persichetti completed. Jacob two piano recitals in New Orleans The recital included works by Haydn, Druckman's The Seven Deadly Sins (first to commemorate the Franz Liszt Ravel, Falla, Poulenc and Gershwin. recording) is a set of seven variations Bicentennial. The first took place Boaz, a member of the ALS Board of bearing these titles: Pride; Envy; Anger; on September 14 and included Three Directors, is the Chairman of Piano Sloth; Avarice; Gluttony: and Carnality. Concert Etudes and Legende No. 2, plus Department at the Boston University Marga Richter is the first woman to smaller works. The second concert School of Music. have received a degree in composition took place on October 23 at Trinity from the Juilliard School of Music. Episcopal Church, and the program Karen Shaw reports that on Zimdars' album presents three of her included selections from Années de her Silvermine Artists Series in compositions: Remembrances (first Pèlerinage I (“Suisse”), followed by Connecticut, Read Gainsford appeared recording); Eight Pieces for Piano (first the B Minor Sonatas of Haydn and in June for a master class and wonderful recording); and Sonata for Piano. The Liszt. Oakes has returned to New program that Karen called, "Devils and March-April 2012 issue of Clavier Orleans after three years of living in Deities," which included, among other Companion will include Zimdars’ Dresden, Germany, where he performed works, "Bénédiction de Dieu dans la interview with Alfred Brendel, a several recitals of music by American solitude" and Mephisto Waltz No. 1. recipient of the Medal of the American composers. Then in October and November, Karen Liszt Society. coordinated four Liszt programs at the Nancy Roldán reports that she has Indiana University Jacobs School of maintained a busy performance Music. (See more information about schedule immediately after the the Indiana Chapter in the Chapter Alkan Society Seeks conclusion of the Liszt-Garrison News section.) Information on Its Namesake event and continuing into the new year. She has been featured on both Alan Walker, Professor Emeritus The pianist and composer Charles- the Chamber Music on the Hill and of Music at McMaster University, Valentin Alkan (1813-1888) was the Catonsville Concert Series in Canada, has been named recipient a friend and colleague of Liszt in Maryland, with Edward Polochik of the Knight's Cross of the Order Paris, and for a while they were close in music for piano, four-hands, and of Merit by the Government of the neighbors in the fashionable Square also with José Cueto, violin, Jennifer Republic of Hungary. The bestowal d'Orleans. Alkan dedicated his early Rende, viola, and Suzanne Orban, of the award took place on Tuesday, Souvenirs: Trois morceaux dans le genre violoncello. Nancy is also presenting January 17, 2012, by His Excellency, pathétique, Op. 15 to Liszt, and we several recitals and master classes László Pordány, at the Hungarian know from Alkan's letters to Hiller that featuring music of Argentina on the Embassy in Ottawa. Dr. Walker is the he kept an interest in Liszt once their 100th birth anniversary of Carlos internationally renowned author of a paths had gone in separate directions. If Guastavino beginning in January three-volume biography of Franz Liszt. any of our readers know of forthcoming 2012. Known as the "Argentine A further volume, The Death of Liszt, concerts including Alkan's music, the Rachmaninov," Guastavino left a was based on the unpublished diary Alkan Society would be interested to wealth of fascinating piano music for of Liszt's pupil, Lina Schmalhausen. receive any information, particularly in solo and duo pianos, piano and chorus, Walker's most recent book is a the run-up to the bicentenary in 2013. hundreds of art songs, and also chamber biography of Hans von Bülow, who For more information, see the Society's works. The presentations address many regard as Liszt's greatest pupil. website at http://www.alkansociety.org Argentine music and its European and Alan's recent article, "Franz Liszt: A American roots. Nancy was privileged Biographer's Journey," appeared in the to meet Guastavino and honored by Spring/Summer issue of The Hungarian the personal and professional friendship Quarterly. Liszt Piano Sonata that ensued from their meetings and Transcribed for Violin correspondence. This occurred over a Albany Records has just released a new ten-year period during Nancy's research CD of twentieth-century American The incomparable Liszt Sonata in B for her doctoral dissertation, which piano music performed by Richard Minor, originally for solo piano, exists concentrated on Guastavino's Ten Zimdars, Despy Karlas Professor of in versions for two pianos (Saint- Cantilenas for solo piano. Under the Piano in the Hugh Hodgson School Saëns) and orchestra (arranged by the title "Tierra Linda, Soul and Passion of Music at the University of Georgia. Hungarian pedagogue/composer/pianist 2012," her upcoming presentations The album, titled Persichetti and Pupils, Leó Weiner). Now, Gila Goldstein include solo and chamber music presents solo piano music composed reports that you can hear and see the concerts. She is happy to hear from between 1952 and 1987 by Vincent solo violin version (http://www.youtube. anyone interested in experiencing this Persichetti and two of his composition com/watch?v=6d7K6JRHFr8&feature=sh "rarely performed music of unusual students at The Juilliard School, are). The work as transcribed by Noam beauty and nostalgia." Marga Richter and Jacob Druckman. Sivan (http://www.noamsivan.com/) as Persichetti's Ninth Piano Sonata and performed by Giora Schmidt at the Boaz Sharon performed a piano recital Winter Solstice (first recording) are 2011 Ravinia Festival. on The Boston University Tanglewood included. The latter is the last work Institute Piano Recital Series on July 31, in the Ventfort Hall Mansion and the

6 The American Liszt Society Chapter News

Baltimore/Washington Chapter Please accept our heartfelt thanks. her audience with her masterful and Liszt-Garrison Festival and Last but not least, this vast interpretations of the Vallée International Competition (www. undertaking would not have been d'Obermann, Sonetto 104 del lisztgarrisoncompetition.org) Two years possible without the work and Petrarca, and the Hungarian have come and gone since our fourth dedication of all ALSBWC board Rhapsodie No. 13. Italian pianist Festival and Competition, and we are members and volunteers, which Andrea Vigna-Taglianti was also delighted to have celebrated the fifth include the many hosts who opened featured, playing the Sposalizio anniversary of the Liszt-Garrison Festival their homes to contestants and artists. and Invocation with a combination and International Piano Competition Special thanks to Ernest Ragogini, of brilliant technique and deep during the bicentenary of Franz Liszt. whose dedication and collaboration expression. The Chapter was pleased This particular year and festival proved have been essential throughout the to have two very talented young the most demanding ever. Music and years, and who now leaves his position students perform. León Bernsdorf, Society: A Timeless Fellowship enjoyed on the board to continue in an advisory a native of Germany and student of the fantastic and talented presence of capacity. Boaz Sharon at Boston University, musicians, who, serving as judges and Susana Cavallero, Bernardo performing the Liszt/Schubert also performing or presenting, shared Rozencwaig, Paul Weiss, Patricia transcription of "Auf dem Wasser interpretations “from the heart” with the Graham, Daniel Lau, Thomas zu Singen" and the Liszt/Schumann audience and fellow musicians. Liszt’s Mastroianni, and Laura Mathews are transcription of "Widmung" “génie oblige” ruled the event beyond essential to the continued success of with exquisite technique, tone, all expectations. While the financial this “dream” to support musicians with and sensitivity. Zura Kobakhidze world remained mostly indifferent, the a passion for music. Dr. Mary Pat of the country of Georgia and a community enjoyed music making of Seurkamp, President of Notre Dame student of Michael Lewin at Boston the highest quality, and delighted in of Maryland University once again Conservatory thrilled all with his an atmosphere of great camaraderie. welcomed us “home.” In 2011, several technical mastery, playing the Memories were certainly created! The new friends joined our cause with zeal Réminiscences de "Don Juan." Their contestants’ dedication and performances and largesse: Claudia Ferrell’s generosity performances truly exemplified the reminded us that talent is worth saved us from financial disaster; Cheryl continuance of Liszt's legacy! As supporting and encouraging in any Kauffmann provided expert advice and well, Chapter President Tish Anne possible way. guidance; Mary Ellen Crowley donated Kilgore performed the Ricordanza. Our celebration included the premiere awesome art work via invitations and The concert was received by a very of two compositions commissioned for program design; and Anne Levit and appreciative audience. A reception the occasion. Composer Kye Ryung the Steinway Gallery of Washington followed with sparkling cider and Park provided us with Calle veneziana, DC made available to us the wonderful birthday cake for Liszt's 200th! The premiered by Ernest Ragogini, and Jorge instruments that we all enjoyed during chapter's next event is planned for Villavicencio Grossmann regaled us with the many performances.. March 2012, in collaboration with Angelus, premiered by Nancy Roldán. As announced during the award M. Steinert & Sons/Boston. The list of names that highlighted this ceremony, a new concert series at Grace year’s music banquet included in order United Methodist Church will begin Indiana Chapter of appearance: Thomas Mastroianni, during the 2012 - 2013 concert season. The Jacobs School of Music José Cueto, Judith Nesleny, Bruce Eicher The “Grace Concerts” will provide (JSOM) commemorated the 200th and the Chancel Choir of Grace United a venue for artistic excellence at the anniversary of the birth of composer Methodist Church, Daniel Glover, Gila service of the community via benefit and piano virtuoso, Franz Liszt, Goldstein, Steven Spooner, Elizabeth events. in four concerts featuring guests, Hart, Ksenia Nosikova, Maxwell Brown, faculty, and student performers Dmitry Shteinberg, Michael Kannen, Boston/Northern New England in solo, collaborative, and choral Yong-Hi Moon, Sharon Christman, Chapter (americanlisztsocietyboston.org) works. The concerts captured Ivo Kaltchev, Daniel Lau, Richard On October 2, our newest chapter of the diverse range of works from Zimdars, David Searle, Domenico the American Liszt Society - the Boston/ the early virtuoso years to the late Firmani, Jonathan Palevsky, and Andrew Northern New England Chapter - compositions pointing the way to Cooperstock. presented its premier event, a Gala the 20th century. The opening Three winners from 2009, Yon Joon Piano Performance in celebration of concert on October 27 featured Yoon, Pablo Lavandera, and Michael Liszt's bicentennial. The concert took guest soloist Steven Spooner, who Berkowsky, joined forces performing on place at the Rivers School Conservatory performed a variety of Liszt works different programs. The list would not be in Weston, MA (just outside of and a 2011 composition written complete without naming our honored Boston) in its lovely new concert hall for him, and Richard Tang Yuk, friend, Alan Walker, who supported us on a beautiful Steinway concert grand. conducting the University Singers in via numerous e-mails as we developed the Gila Goldstein graciously accepted Liszt’s Die Seligkeiten, based on a text program, and who wrote for the occasion the Chapter's invitation to perform, from the Gospel of Matthew. the "Commentary on Liszt" posted on the delighting (continued on page 11) L-G website.

The American Liszt Society Volume 27, Issue 2, Summer/Fall 2011 7 Arizona State University 2012 Festival at Eugene (continued from page 1) Celebrates Liszt Bicentennial ASU paid homage to Franz Liszt with a series of all-Liszt concerts. The The final day of the Festival opens with a recital of music by the little-known first concert on October 20 featured composer, Théodore Gouvy, and a discussion of his musical relationship with Walter Cosand, Piano Department Liszt. The University of Oregon Chamber Choir then presents selections from Chair, in a performance of the Liszt's choral music, followed by a chamber music concert of music by Franck, complete Transcendental Études. The and Hummel. "Piano Masterworks from Weimar" starts the afternoon sessions, next evening, faculty pianist Robert featuring more Liszt "favorites" from the repertoire. A performance by the Hamilton performed "Orage," "Au University of Oregon Symphony Orchestra completes the concert schedule. Lac de Wallenstadt," "Abschied, " and The final banquet of the 2012 Festival begins at 5:30. No. 17 and No. The 2012 Festival is available to ALS members for $70 for enrollment by 18, followed by Regent's Professor March 1, 2012, after which time the fee will be $90. Other fee categories are Caio Pagano playing "Sonetto 104 del available depending on one's organizational affiliation or student status. Petrarca" and Valse Oubliée No. 1. After The Residence Inn in Eugene will be the main festival hotel, offering the intermission, singers Kristin Roney, following options (all including breakfast): Suzanne Rovani, and Carter Tholl partnered with pianist Russell Ryan in Two-bedroom Suites: two separate bedrooms and shared living room/ performances of five Liszt songs on texts kitchen @ $189.00/night by Goethe, Heine, and Hugo. The concert on October 22 was a Single-bedroom Suite: $129.00/night potpourri of favorites performed by ASU student pianists, starting with Studio Suite: $109.00/night the Fest-Polonaise for Four Hands. "Vallée d'Obermann" followed, and Transportation to and from the University of Oregon will be provided by then the program shifted to the second the Festival. When calling the hotel, please mention the 2012 Festival of The book of pilgrimages with "Sposalizio" American Liszt Society and indicate your preference of accommodation. Visit the and "Canzonetta del Salvator Rosa." hotel website for booking and more information: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/ Then came the Overture to Tannhäuser travel/eugri-residence-inn-eugene-springfield/ (Wagner-Liszt), "Tarantella," and Paganini Study No. 3 ("La Campanella"). Two other options, both of which are walking distance from campus, are also After intermission, the program available: included the Hungarian Rhapsodies No. 8 and No. 9, "Harmonies du Soir," The Excelsior Inn "Waldesrauschen," "Sonnetto 104 del Single-occupancy rooms with luxurious, on-site dining (please visit www. Petrarca," and Paganini Studies No. 6 excelsiorinn.com and mention University of Oregon for details and rates) and No. 2. A fourth program combined repertoire from the first three concerts Phoenix Inn and was performed at the Scottsdale Variable room rates and accommodations (please visit: www.phoenixinn.com Center for the Arts. ASU School of and mention University of Oregon for details and rates) Music Director and Organ Department Chair Kimberly Marshall concluded the For more information, please contact: series with an all-Liszt organ recital at Alexander Schwarzkopf Trinity Cathedral in Phoenix. Housing Coordinator, 2012 Festival of The American Liszt Society [email protected] Historic Christ Church in Sparkill, NY celebrated Franz Liszt’s 200th For more Festival information and an e-version of the brochure, please go to Birthday with an all-Liszt piano program http://liszt.uoregon.edu/. on Saturday, November 5, performed by Christina Kiss. In 1990, Ms. Kiss introduced the Liszt Cycle World New Liszt Autograph Available Premiere at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall. She has performed on numerous Dr. Jürgen Neubacher writes that he recommends the following website (available occasions at Alice Tully Hall, the United in many languages, including English) regarding an hitherto unknown Liszt Nations, and at the Kennedy Center in Autograph: Washington, DC. Born in Budapest, http://www.sub.uni-hamburg.de/bibliotheken/presse-ausstellungen-%20 she completed her studies at the Franz veranstaltungen/ausstellungen-und-veranstaltungen/online-ausstellungen/expo-des- Liszt Academy in that city. In New monats/oktober-2011.html York, The Juilliard School awarded her The work is "Es ist genug." Arie für Bariton aus dem Oratorium Elias von the coveted Gina Bachauer Prize. She Mendelssohn, für die Orgel bearbeitet von Franz Liszt. Interested parties may reach counts a Van Cliburn competition prize Dr. Neubacher at the Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek Hamburg Von-Melle-Park among her many awards and honors. 3, D-20146 Hamburg, Tel.: 040/42838-5856; Fax: 040/42838-3352.

8 The American Liszt Society ALS Directory Updates

The entire Board of Directors extends Yukiko Fujimura Hando Nahkur a very special "Thank You" to our life 1616 W Gilbert B200 8784 Park Lane member, Grace Clark, for an extremely Muncie, IN 47303 #2041 Serendipity Apartment Homes generous donation to The American H 757-716-5311 Dallas, TX 76231 Liszt Society. Student H 617-820-7490 Pianist/Student Thank you also to Nancy Bachus for Janita R. Hall-Swadley her financial contribution to ALS above PO Box 323 Chris Robinson and beyond normal yearly dues. Parkine, AR 72373 2403 Kenwood Ave. H 870-755-2386 San Jose, CA 95128 [email protected] H 408-243-8352 CURRENT MEMBER TO Independent Musicologist & German [email protected] LIFE MEMBER: Translator Pianist David Cartledge Sun Min Kim Eric Ruple 130 Gibbs Street, #2 909 Oak Hill Drive NEW MEMBERS: Rochester, NY 14605 Harrisonburg, VA 22801 H 312-343-6977 H 540-433-4814 Frank E. Block, Jr. [email protected] [email protected] 141 El Dorado Drive DMA Student Professor of Piano Little Rock, AR 72212 H 501-421-4143 Dr. Wojciech Kocyan Sue Rupp [email protected] 12633 Matteson Ave. #5 58 W. Portal Ave. #147 Retired Los Angeles, CA 90066 San Francisco, CA 94127 H 310-849-1940 H 415-566-0866 Anna Celenza [email protected] [email protected] Georgetown University Retired 108 Davis Center Elizabeth Leier 1905 Earl Rd. 37th & O Streets NW Young Ah Tak Dept. of Performing Arts City, IA 52246 H 319-551-7447 3352 Fiddle Leaf Way Washington, DC 20057 Lakeland, FL 33811 H 202-570-0554 [email protected] Doctoral Student H 863-937-3071 [email protected] [email protected] Professor Jo Leffingwell Assistant Professor of Piano 2218 3rd Ave. N Gabriel Neves Coelho Fan Zhang 2250 Patterson St. #108 Seattle, WA 08109 H 206-285-1819 918 S. Maxwell Terrace #E Eugene, OR 97405 Bloomington, IN 47401 H 865-291-7303 [email protected] Retired H 812-272-4777 [email protected] [email protected] Student Lisa Skyler St. Jacqueline Manesh Pianist 36 Carlsbad Lane William Corbett-Jones Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 E-MAIL CHANGES: 30 Alviso Street H 949-357-3909 San Francisco, CA 94127 [email protected] Margaret Allen H 415-587-0398 Student [email protected] [email protected] Professor of Music Dr. Roger McVey Marti Csonka 310 W. Charlotte St. [email protected] Mary Ellen Crowley River Falls, WI 54022 3702 Hickory Ave. H 715-425-5743 Elizabeth A. Temple Baltimore, MD 21211-1809 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Asst. Prof. of Music Graphic Designer INFORMATION CHANGES: Bill Morton Allan Evans 110 Mattison Cove NE Mark D. DeZwaan 153-20 33rd Ave. Atlanta, GA 30319 1903 E. Third St. #317 Flushing, NY H 404-405-4035 Bloomington, IN 47401 Sound Archaeologist [email protected] C 616-550-3530

The American Liszt Society Volume 27, Issue 2, Summer/Fall 2011 9 ALS Directory 2011 Liszt-Garrison International Updates (continued from page 9) Competition Announces Winners! Nicholas Dufetel 19 demin de la Nouelle The 2011 Liszt-Garrison Festival and International Competition is pleased to 49610 Juigne sur Loire announce the winners of its most recent event: France Franz Liszt Award for exceptional performance in the 2011 Liszt Bicentennial Enrico Elisi Competition presented to collaborative artists Lachezar Kostov, cello and Viktor Eastman School of Music Valkov, piano, Bulgaria 26 Gibbs St. Rochester, NY 14604 Artist Division Awards [email protected] First Prize: Withheld Second Prize: Vincent van Gelder, Holland Barbara Mellon Kolb Honorable Mention: Joonhee Kim, Korea and Pei-I Wang, Taiwan Mosaic Artist Best Performance of a Work by Franz Liszt: Veena Kulkarni, USA Treasurer, Phoenicia Festival of the Best Performance of an American Work: Vincent van Gelder, Holland Voice 845-586-3588 Young Artist Awards First Prize: Casey Rafn, USA Steven Moellering Second Prize: Ryan McNamara, USA 1060 Oakleaf Ct. Honorable Mention: Jidong Zhong, China Concord, CA 94521 Best Performance of a Work by Franz Liszt: Casey Rafn, USA Best Performance of an American Work: Ryan McNamara, USA Luke Norell 1600 E. Hillside Dr. #15 Collaborative Artist Awards Bloomington, IN 47401 First Prize: Lachezar Kostov, cello & Viktor Valkov, piano, Bulgaria H 651-341-7414 Second Prize: Brendan Conway, violin & Ina Mirtcheva, piano, USA and Bulgaria/USA Mohammad Sharif Honorable Mention: Yeon-Ji Yun, cello & Phoenix Park-Kim, piano, H 404-583-3030 South Korea and USA [email protected] Best Performance of a Work by Franz Liszt and Best Performance of an American Work: Lachezar Kostov, cello & Viktor Valkov, piano, Bulgaria Soyoon Yim 8560 2nd Ave. #1405 The membership of The American Liszt Society congratulates all these winners Silver Spring, MD 20910 and extends its thanks and best wishes to all contestants, adjudicators, performers, presenters, organizers, and volunteers!! Please help us to keep the Membership Directory up to date and accurate by sending us any new information about your address, e-mail, phone number, "Liszt 200 Chicago" Winners etc. If you notice an error, for which we apologize in advance, please send The Music Institute of Chicago and the Chicago Duo Piano Festival are pleased your corrections to the Membership to announce the winners of "Liszt 200 Chicago" International Duo Piano Secretary, Barbara Mellon Kolb, at Competition. This special competition honored the bicentennial of Franz Liszt and [email protected]. took place in October 20 - 23, 2011 at the Music Institute of Chicago's historic landmark building, Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston, IL. From an initial field of 28 leading young piano duos worldwide, seven were chosen to compete in the final round. The final prizes were awarded as follows:

Grand Prize “Liszt 200 Chicago” ($8,000) Duo Vis a Vis (St. Petersburg, Russia) - Polina Grigoreva and Yulia Yurchenko Second Prize ($4,000) Tsuyuki and Rosenboom (Hanover, Germany) - Chie Tsuyuki and Michael Rosenboom Third Prize ($2,000) Liang-He Duo (Chicago) - Xiaomin Liang and Jue He “Norman Pellegrini Schubert Prize” ($2,000) Duo Vis a Vis (St. Petersburg, Russia) - Polina Grigoreva and Yulia Yurchenko Honorable Mention Duo Yamamoto (Vienna, Austria) - Ayaka and Yuka Yamamoto For more information, please see http://musicinst.org/international-duo-piano- competition.

10 The American Liszt Society More Chapter (continuedNews from page 7)

The next two concerts took place on More recently, the Chapter presented Snell, Hanson Tam, and William Wellborn. November 3 and 10, with the earlier Alexandre Dossin, ALS Board Member The concert was followed by a champagne event bringing together faculty and and Host of the 2012 ALS Festival, in reception. students of the JSOM in a program of recital on January 10, 2012, again at the The "Classical Music at the Firehouse collaborative music. Performers included Yamaha Piano Salon, 689 Fifth Ave., Arts Center" took place on November participants from the piano, string, and Third Floor, New York, NY. The next 20 in Pleasanton, California. A "Young voice departments presenting a variety major event will be Garnet Ungar, who Artist Recital," presenting winners of the of original works and transcriptions will play a recital on May 10th, 2012. MTAC audition in works by Liszt, took by Liszt. Those performing included For further details, please contact Gila place at 2:00 p.m. At 3:30 pm, Dr. William Edmund Battersby, Evelyne Brancart, Goldstein. Wellborn presented a lecture-recital dealing JL Haguenauer, and Karen Shaw from with the fascinating evolution of Liszt's piano; Carol Vaness, voice; and Sharon San Francisco Chapter sponsored keyboard style. Robinson, cello. Davis Hart accompanied numerous events in honor of the Franz At 5:00 p.m., there was an ensemble Ms. Vaness and Rachel Woods, mezzo. Liszt bicentennial. concert featuring the Varney-Sanchez Duo The later concert included student "Liszt and His Circle" took place on and friends in performances of Liszt's pianists who performed "Liszt through October 17 at San Jose State University. Les Préludes, , the Years: Compositions from early, Pianists included Michael Boyd, Chih- ( arr. by Saint- middle, late years," showing the wide long Hu, and William Wellborn, who Saëns and featuring Cecilia Huang, Paul range of Liszt’s piano music. The final joined Dr. Gwendolyn Mok, Coordinator Rhodes, and Dominique Piana), as well as event was on November 13 and featured of Keyboard Studies at SJSU, in a day- selected art songs with Marta Johansen and guest pianist and IU graduate, Frederic long series of events in celebration of Robert Schwartz. Chiu, who enjoys a busy professional Liszt's Bicentennial. The lunchtime The day closed with a solo recital performing career. Frederic displayed his concert featured art songs by Liszt, performed by award-winning pianist Peter wizardry at the piano with an original performed by Joseph Frank and Chih- Toth, who presented Liszt's "," program, “Monument to Beethoven,” long Hu, and included Chopin-Liszt: Fantasy and Fugue on B-A-C-H, that include the Schumann Fantasie in C "The Maiden's Wish," Beethoven-Liszt: "Legend," Variations on "Weinen, Klagen," Major, Op. 17, and the fiendishly difficult "Mignon," and Hungarian Rhapsody No. Réminiscences de Norma, and more. transcription by Liszt of Beethoven’s 15, performed by William Wellborn; Symphony No. 5. This was a most fitting Fantasy and Fugue on B-A-C-H, performed The South Florida Chapter at Florida finale to our celebration! by Michael Boyd; and "Petrarch Sonnets International University (FIU) presented Nos. 104 and 123," performed by four programs commemorating Liszt's New York/New Jersey Chapter Gwendolyn Mok. Later that afternoon, bicentennial. October 21 featured an The American Liszt Society NY/NJ there was a master class led by pianists evening of solo works and lieder by Liszt Chapter, in cooperation with Yamaha William Wellborn and Michael Boyd. and Chopin, with members of the faculty Artists Services, presented Nadejda The evening event was a Gala and guest pianist Mia Vassilev. Artist-in Vlaeva (www. NadejdaVlaeva.com) in Concert held in the Concert Hall of the Residence Professor Kemal Gekic was a piano recital on Tuesday, October 4, School of Music. The program included the soloist on October 22 featuring the in the Yamaha Piano Salon at 689 Fifth a performance of the 1841 "Album FIU Symphony Orchestra under Maestro Avenue. The program included Saint- Beethoven," a rare collection of works by Grzegorz Nowak in Liszt's Saëns' transcriptions of works by J.S. Liszt's contemporaries, including Chopin, No. 2 and the "Ruins of Athens" Fantasy. Bach: "Recitative and Air" from Cantata Mendelssohn, Kalkbrenner, Moscheles, On October 23 at the Deering Estate, No. 30; "Gavotte" from Violin Partita Taubert, Thalberg, Dohler, and Henselt, the Deering Estate Chamber Ensemble No. 3; "Largo" from Violin Sonata No. all performed on an 1868 Erard piano. presented chamber music by Liszt and 3; "Bourée" from Violin Partita No. The program also featured Liszt's his contemporaries, Joseph Joachim and 1; "Adagio" from Cantata No. 3; and transcription of the "Funeral March" Camille Saint-Saëns. The mini Festival "Overture" from Cantata No. 29. The from Beethoven's "Eroica" Symphony. closed on October 28 with an all-Liszt solo first half concluded with five movements Boyd, Hu, Mok, and Wellborn were recital by FIU alumnus Misha Daci. from Hans von Bülow's Carnivale di joined by two specially selected students, Milano, Op. 21. After intermission, Ms. Evan Chow and Yong Yu Gao for the Want to see your name or your chapter Vlaeva presented Liszt's Après une lecture musical event. news in the next edition of the ALS du Dante, the Bülow/Liszt Dante Sonnet Also celebrating the Franz Liszt 200th Newsletter? Simply send an e-mail message “Tanto gentile”, and concluded with Anniversary was a Gala presented by the to Editor Edward Rath with the subject Rhapsody No. 9 ("Carnival in Pest") by Chapter in conjunction with Old First line reading ALS Newsletter - nothing Liszt. Concerts. This was an all-Liszt program more, nothing less, please. Include the In cooperation with the Wagner featuring Michael Boyd, Daniel Glover, text of your information in the body of the Society of New York, the NY/NJ Chapter Heidi Hau, John Hord, Antonio Iturrioz, e-mail, or send it as an e-mail attachment presented Jeffrey Swann, pianist, in Machiko Kobialka, Jerome Lenk, Eliane in MSWord. Do not send pdf's or hard concert on Monday, November 14, at the Lust, Jonathan Mann, Gwendolyn Mok, copy. Your e-mails should be sent to Ed Yamaha Piano Salon. Victoria Neve, Robert Schwartz, Keith at [email protected]. Please note: this is a NEW address!!

The American Liszt Society Volume 27, Issue 2, Summer/Fall 2011 11 2011 ALS Conference - A Retrospective by Its Host, Richard Zimdars

In 2007, the ALS Board of Directors accepted a proposal for my hosting the Bicentennial Festival to be held at the University of Georgia. After four years of planning, the festival took place February 17 - 19, 2011. For any ALS festival, labeling some sessions as high points to the exclusion of others is impossible because different sessions have different aims, and festival-goers have different interests. After every festival, however, certain events and persons linger in the memory, providing that festival with a distinctive profile. My strongest memories, inevitably subjective and by no means comprehensive, follow. Two iconic American musicians, William Bolcom and Thomas Hampson, brought a special aura to the 2011 festival. With the aim of bequeathing something tangible and permanent in honor of Liszt’s Bicentennial, ALS commissioned Bolcom to compose a song cycle based on sonnets by Petrarch. The result is Laura Sonnets, a setting of five Petrarch sonnets. On the evening of February 18, Hampson and pianist Craig Rutenberg opened their recital with riveting performances of Liszt songs followed by the premiere of the Laura Sonnets. The cycle is exquisite, and its first performance set an extraordinary standard. (I was able to briefly eavesdrop on a rehearsal with the composer and performers. Regretfully, it was not videotaped.) Hampson’s performance of American songs after intermission masterfully presented a great variety of moods. The next morning Bolcom and Hampson held a discussion of the premiere. Later, Hampson gave a master class in which he taught three University of Georgia voice majors in Liszt songs. The one-hour class was generously stretched into two hours. Many veteran attendees of countless master classes declared that Hampson’s class was among the best they had ever experienced. Liszt, of course, wrote twelve transcendental etudes. Bolcom’s 12 New Etudes were awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1988. To honor the presence of such an important composer for the piano, seven ALS pianists performed the 12 New Etudes. Hearing them played in their entirety by a succession of different pianists was a first for Bolcom, and he said he found the experience fascinating. Thanks to the generosity of Steinway & Sons, an ALS Bicentennial Composition Competition with a $4000 prize was advertised worldwide. Thirty-one works for solo piano (8 - 15 minutes in length) were submitted by composers aged 25 - 40 hailing from Australia, Thailand, Japan, Israel, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, France, Russia, and the United States. The jury (ALS members Paul Barnes, Matthew Bengston, and James Giles) declared a tie. The co-prize-winning pieces and composers were Ballade by Gilad Cohen, and Piano Sonata No. 2 by Brian Ciach. Both works were enthusiastically received, are worthy legacies of ALS’s bicentennial celebration, and deserve many future performances. Should you wish to obtain the scores, here is contact information for the composers: [email protected]; [email protected] ALS’s efforts to live up to the bicentennial festival theme of “Liszt and the Future” did not exclude a major ALS undertaking to preserve the past. A 2-CD set titled Liszt Illuminated was unveiled at the festival. It contains mostly previously unreleased recordings by three previous recipients of the Medal of The American Liszt Society: Claudio Arrau, Jorge Bolet, and Gunnar Johansen. Gregor Benko, whose knowledge of piano recordings is unsurpassed, led the production of the album and shared some of his favorite selections with the festival audience. Over 100 albums were sold at the festival. If you do not yet own your copy, please order it at: www.marstonrecords.com/html/catalogue.htm Scholarship always plays a role at ALS festivals. Honoring scholarly achievement at the bicentennial festival seemed especially important. This was done by holding the 2011 Alan Walker Book Award competition for a new book or translation relating to Liszt research published after January 1, 2010, or contracted for publication by July 1, 2010. The $2000 prize (awarded by a jury of Ben Arnold, Jay Rosenblatt, and Larry Todd) went to Jonathon Kregor for his Liszt as Transcriber (Cambridge, 2010). Appropriately, Alan Walker presented the award to Kregor, after which Walker gave an inspiring lecture to close the bicentennial festival. I enjoy encountering new performers and lecturers at ALS festivals, so I wish to mention these first-time presenters at an ALS festival: Gregory Broughton, Frederick Burchinal, Jacob Coleman, Stefanie Dickinson, Enrico Elisi, Matthew Gianforte, James Giles, Julie Harvey, Jura Margulis, Timothy Shafer, and Anatoly Sheludyakov. Rather than name all of the presenters who contributed to the sessions, I would refer you to the 2011 Festival program at www.americanlisztsociety.net/festivals/2011.htm Naturally, my thanks goes to all who appeared on stage and who worked behind the scenes to make the 2011 Festival happen.

Want to start a new chapter of The American Liszt Society?? According to the Bylaws, "Chapters may be established at college campuses, communities, museums, or as part of concert series organizations." (See http://www.americanlisztsociety.net/BYLAWS1991.pdf.) If you are a member of The American Liszt Society, or wish to become one and start a chapter to further the purposes and philosophy of The American Liszt Society, we welcome your interest!! ALS Board Member Paul Barnes is the Chair of the Committee on Chapters, and he may be reached by e-mail at [email protected]. Membership in the Society is required before starting a chapter; contact Barbara Mellon Kolb ([email protected]) for details on joining.

12 The American Liszt Society