Winter/Spring 2006
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Founded in 1964 Volume 22, Issue 1, Winter/Spring 2006 PRSRT. STD. U.S. Postage PAID 1136 Hog Mountain Road Champaign, IL Fleischmanns, NY 12430 Permit No. 540 CHANGE OF ADDRESS REQUES TED AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN LISZT SOCIETY, INC. Current Issue of ALS Journal: A Tribute to Fernando Laires By David Butler Cannata, Temple University The most recent issue of the Journal of Transcendence,” underscore the relevance the American Liszt Society, Volumes 54-56 of rigorous academic observation for the (2003-05), contains numerous articles informed performer. Liszt as a composer that are sure to make it one of the most of piano music and lieder, both particular TABLE OF CONTENTS interesting issues in the history of the interests of Laires, are underscored by Paul Society. Entitled FLORES MUSICAIS, A Merrick’s work with the Consolations and 1 ALS Journal Honors Fernando Laires Festschrift in Honor of Fernando Laires Upon their possible sub-texts, while Jürgen Thym’s His 80th Birthday, the publication celebrates conceptualization of Liszt’s songs further 2 President’s Message Fernando Laires’s musical contributions, refines our understanding of Liszt and this 3 Letter from the Editor not only to the Society, of which he was a genre. founding member and long-time President, The focus of the collection then expands 4 2006 American Liszt Society but to American and international artistic with Pauline Pocknell’s discourse of the Festival in Athens, Georgia circles. The publication was recently mailed iconographic representatation of Liszt’s hands, followed by Charles Timbrell’s 4 News from Abroad: to all members of the American Liszt Society, and a commemorative volume was account of Walter and Franz Rummel, both Budapest, Raiding, and Sopron presented to Fernando at the most recent “Eminent Lisztians.” And Liszt himself 6 In Memoriam meeting of the ALS in Athens, Georgia, on would have been delighted with the final February 10. presentation: he was always interested in 6 Competitions and Festivals While most of the articles are the doings of other composers, and the 7 Coming Next Issue centered on Liszt, nearly every aspect issue finishes out with Ralph Locke’s article of musicological, performance, and on Aaron Copland, a tract full of new 8 Chapter News historiographical investigation is covered. biographical information, one in which Copland discusses much about his modus 9 Member News Contributions such as William Wright’s “Master Liszt in England,” Zsuzsanna operandi as a composer. Domokos’s “Liszt’s Roman Experience of For various reasons that would only Palestrina (1839),” and Malou Haine’s make sense to someone steeped in Liszt “Liszt’s Concerts in Belgium in 1846” lore, the Festschrift counts 12 articles (well, will continue to fascinate - all probe officially speaking). T he opening writing hitherto neglected areas of biographical entitled PRELÚDIO, Nancy Lee Harper’s research. Studies of Liszt’s contributions discussion of Laires’s unique contributions to the musical life of the century include to the musical life of Portugal and the USA, Klára Hamburger’s examination of the reminds us of why the Society exists and reception history of Des Bohémiens et de why we have put this issue together. leur musique en Hongrie (1859 & 1881), The Society has made special provisions and Mária Eckhardt’s “Liszt and His for the appearance of the issue and has Godson Francis Korbay,” the latter a study increased the press-run especially for the that tells as much of the man as it does of occasion. If you did not receive your his compositional generosity. Both Paul member’s copy, or if you wish to order Bertagnolli’s meticulous examination of the additional copies, you may do so by Prometheus source documents (a discussion contacting Justin Kolb, Executive Secretary/ that further explores the composer’s unique Membership, 1136 Hog Mountain Road, abilities in the area of transcription), and Fleischmanns, NY 12430, or e-mail him at Michael Klein’s ground-breaking stylistic/ [email protected]. semiotic study, “Liszt and the Idea of Perpetuating the ideas of Franz Liszt through excellence in music performance and scholarship PRESIDENT T homas Mastroianni T he Catholic University of America President’s Message 2006 Festival - A Great Success School of Music (continued from page 4) Washington D.C. 20064 PRESIDENT EMERITUS F riday morning began with a second Matthay Session. Gregor Benko presented “Matthay’s Influence on Pianism as Revealed by F ernando Laires Historical Recordings.” Some of history’s greatest pianists were featured, as were some lesser-known pianists who should enjoy greater notoriety. One heard as well both familiar and relatively unknown repertoire, including works by Matthay. Benko was the perfect person VICE PRESIDENT Jay Hershberger for this presentation, considering his long history as collector, author, reviewer, musicologist, etc. Dear Members, C oncordia College Music Department T he Keynote Address of Jim Samson was entitled “Orpheus and the Exile: Liszt and Victor Hugo.” The lecture was perhaps better M oorhead, MN 56562 understood by scholars of French culture, but there was much to appreciate in Samson’s scholarship, which he revealed through a high-level The acknowledgement of gratitude is an enriching EXECUTIVE/MEMBERSHIP academic delivery. A noontime concert devoted to folk music influence on 19th century music included works by d’Albert, Castelnuovo- human exercise. The American Liszt Society provides a SECRETARY Tedesco, and Liszt, performed by Giuseppe Lupis, recently appointed to the music faculty of Georgia Southern University. Justin Kolb wealth of opportunity for this exercise. We have so After lunch, the registrants were treated to a delightful recital of works by two of the great influences on Liszt: Hummel, through his 1136 Hog Mountain Road much to be grateful about. Our recent festival in F leischmanns, NY 12430 Sonata for Two Pianos in Ab, Op. 92, and Czerny, in his Quartet Concertante on Several Beloved Melodies. The former work was performed collaboration with the American Matthay Association was indeed an beautifully by Dmitri Rachmanov (a relatively late substitute for James Giles) and Sevgi Giles. Hearing four well-voice and well-tuned TREASURER occasion worthy of bountiful thanks. The Matthay members enriched Steinway concert grands, played by Liania Embovica-Rivkin, Evgeny Rivkin, Martha Thomas, and Richard Zimdars, was a wonder for the N ancy Roldán our experience immensely, and the ALS members were spectacular. P eabody Conservatory Faculty ear and eye. These seldom-played pieces gave one an idea of what Liszt might have heard as a young lad and of the material that provided T he Johns Hopkins University the imagination for his keyboard writing in his later compositions. 5617 Knell Avenue The University of Georgia provided warm hospitality and beautiful M atthay Session III included a panel discussion with Stephen Siek, Don Hageman, Ann Schein, George Loring, and Dan Franklin B altimore, MD 21206 surroundings for this festival, and thanks to Richard Zimdars (festival Smith, discussing “Defining the Matthay Approach.” This title seemed to indicate the inclusion of more factual matter concerning the coordinator) and to the administration and festival workers, it was a ALS JOURNAL Matthay philosophy or approach, which had significant influence on piano teaching and playing in the late 19th century and throughout R ene Charnin Mueller pleasure to partake of this musical feast. the 20th century The presentation was interesting but left many wanting even more definition! F aculty of Arts and Science T he afternoon concluded with a panorama of the solo piano ballade, with both works by that title written by Liszt and played N ew York University We had a wonderful opportunity to express thanks to our co-founder 24 Waverly Place, Room 268 respectively by Jane Solose and Howard Karp, plus a work by Bülow played by David Watkins, and “The Ghost Ship” (the Ballade No. 1) N ew York, NY 10003 and long-time president, Fernanado Laires, whose presence has always by Carl Tausig, played by Giulio Draghi. This interesting program concluded with a touching tribute to one of the founders of the ALS, been a sign of the quality and inspiration of the festivals. The beautiful Fernando Laires. ALS President Mastroianni presented Fernando with a commemorative copy of the triple-volume issue of the Journal, ALS NEWSLETTER JALS Festschrift presented to Fernando by Rena Charnin Mueller and E dward Rath and there were resounding bravos, a standing ovation, and tears in the eyes of some, with the entire audience readily acknowledging School of Music guest edited by David Cannata, is a publication in which the society can Professor Laires’s contributions for many, many years not only to the ALS and Liszt scholarship, but to piano playing and teaching. U niversity of Illinois take great pride. It is a joy to offer an enthusiastic “thank you” for this, T he second day’s activities finished with an outstanding recital performed by the young Russian pianist, Katia Skanavi. After a 1114 W. Nevada Street and indeed for the many fine journals that we have received in the past. U rbana, IL 61801 demanding first half consisting of the Handel Chaconne in G, Liszt’s Tre sonneti di Petrarca and Vallée d’Obermann, and Chopin’s Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise, Skanavi turned to Rachmaninov’s complete Études-tableaux, Op. 39. All who heard this recital agreed that BOARD OF DIRECTORS Since the festival events are reported elsewhere in this newsletter, the playing was outstanding both musically and technically. P aul Barnes I would just like to comment on the level of talent and the impressive Gila Goldstein Gregor Benko provided the opening lecture on Saturday morning with “D’Albert and Rosenthal on Records.” Benko’s commentary Jay Hershberger quality of those who participated.