Dr. Music

Dr. Music Season 2 Episode 15

Matthew Marullo

Send us a text

The idea of listening to a "death dance" may not be very appetizing...until you hear one by Franz Liszt.  His 1849 composition for piano solo and orchestra, Totentanz, is a tour de force in virtousic performance, featuring Liszt's "transcendental"  piano technique.  The piece is a set of variations on the 13th century monophonic chant, Dies Irae, or "Day Of Wrath." In the hands of Liszt (and he had two very large hands), these variations encompass styles ranging from Baroque imitative counterpoint to the cutting edge new Romantic style of the mid to late 19th century. You're in for quite a rollercoaster ride with piece, and don't worry--this "death dance" is completely safe for your musical health!