Te Musical Minut Presents: “The Dance of the Dead” By: Ashley L. AkL

Hungarian virtuoso and composer (1811-1886) was obsessed with the idea of death and the fantasies of the . In 1849, Liszt composed a concerto featuring solo piano and which he entitled, “Totentanz: The Ranging Dance of the Dead.” Although there were many sources of inspiration that contributed to Liszt’s composition, the work has stood the test of time and has been performed by many pianists and orchestra’s worldwide including the Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The melody of Liszt’s Totentanz is based on an Ancient Gregorian chant that had inspired generations of composers such as and . Religious concepts including hell, heaven, and death were Liszt’s true inspirations for many of his works which reflected the notions of death and doom. During his life in Paris, Liszt often attended executions and observed men being hanged or decapitated by the gallows. These dark, grim pastimes contributed to his music and well-being as a composer during the 1800’s. The Totentanz is a devilish piece that features fast runs, and short, jeering melodies from both the soloist and orchestra that evoke a sense of evil play. In 1830, Liszt began to compose his devilish work. He visited , Italy where he viewed the famous fresco painting, The Triumph of Death. The painting dates from the fourteenth-century, and depicts dead souls thriving in either heaven or hell. This work truly moved Liszt, and gave him inspiration for the story behind his composition; however, it wasn’t fully completed until 1849. Even afterwards, the piece was still subject to constant revisions by Liszt, and wasn’t performed until roughly six years after its completion! The melodies of the Totentanz are filled with emotion and fury and depict a Depiction of Liszt’s Totentanz: The Dance of Death. devilish dance; yet, surprisingly there are some beautiful sections that feature elements of light- heartedness and compassion. The composition’s overall story depicts judgement day and the perishing of humanity. Carefully balancing the heavenly with the hell-raging, Liszt added six melody variations that can be heard via either the soloist or orchestra. One must carefully listen in order to recognize the themes. The piano part portrays a curdling fury and violence in certain sections which helps to differentiate between darkness and light. People who witnessed the performance of such a piece for the first time were awe-struck by the dark themes and scary sounds produced by the piano. Violence was a redundant characteristic of the work. Liszt’s Totentanz composition is beautifully crafted, and he carefully balances the themes of darkness and light. Where darkness thrives, light will always find a way to triumph. The mastery of the piano solos can send a chilling shriek up any listener’s spine. Intricate compositions were no match for Franz Liszt, and the dark stories and artwork that gave rise to his compositions will continue to inspire audiences, spark ghost stories, and encourage musical appreciation to vast audiences worldwide. Suggestd Listning: *Liszt Totentanz