Description

Liszt viewed the "rhapsody" as the epitome of musical freedom, a constant process of transforming and varying themes and motifs, all bound by shifting emotions. According to an early reviewer, this first of Liszt's 19 Hungarian Rhapsodies exemplifies "the art of thematic working" that no previous master had practiced "more fantastically, more expressively or more inventively." Despite this acclaim, the piece was somewhat overshadowed by the greater popularity of the Second Hungarian Rhapsody (HN 803), which had considerably more concise themes and rhythms. Both rhapsodies were published in 1851. This Henle Urtext edition, drawing on all available sources, now allows players to rediscover Liszt's First Rhapsody. Italian Liszt specialist Vincenzo Maltempo provides the fingerings.