Reflections on Liszt

by Alan Walker

In a series of lively essays that tell us much not only about the phenomenon that was Franz Liszt but also about the musical and cultural life of nineteenth-century Europe, Alan Walker muses on aspects of Liszt's life and work that he was unable to explore in his acclaimed three-volume biography of the great composer and pianist. Topics include Liszt's contributions to the Lied, the lifelong impact of his encounter with Beethoven, his influence on students who became famous in their own right, his accomplishments in transcribing and editing the works of other composers, and his innovative piano technique. One chapter is devoted to the Sonata in B Minor, perhaps Liszt's single most celebrated composition.

Walker draws heavily on Liszt's astonishingly large personal correspondence with other composers, critics, pianists, and prominent public figures. All the essays reveal Walker's broad and deep knowledge of Liszt and Romantic music generally and, in some cases, his impatience with contemporary performance practice.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Classical Music, Biography

304 pages, Hardcover

First published June 9, 2005

About the author

Alan Walker’s definitive three-volume biography of Liszt, Franz Liszt, received the James Tait Black Memorial Prize in Biography and the Royal Philharmonic Society Book Award, among others. His writing has appeared in journals such as The Musical Quarterly, The Times Literary Supplement, and Times Educational Supplement. A professor emeritus at McMaster University, Walker was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1986 and was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary in 2012.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the many years that Alan Walker assembled his three-volume biography of Franz Liszt, he collected far more material than could reasonably be placed in a biographical study. He assembled some of this material into a book of essays, "Reflections on Liszt", published a few years ago by Cornell Press (not the publisher of the biography, which is too aggravating to comment on here). In these articles, Walker discusses Liszt's Beethoven and Schubert transcriptions, his songs, his pupils, writings, and a few of Liszt's compositions. To anyone who had read the biography, it would come as no surprise at all that these essays are lively and quite informative. Walker has absolute command of his subject material, and makes ample use of the newest evidence that has come to light since the biography was completed.

To give but one example: Walker's essay on Liszt and the Lied examines the unjustly neglected song output of the composer. To begin, the author builds a case for Liszt's legitimacy as a song composer, pointing to his residence in Weimar and strong interest in German literature. After a discussion of the Weimar court opera singers who regularly worked with Liszt, Walker lays out a case that Liszt is a "missing link" between Schumann and Mahler. In analysis of Liszt's songs "Freudvoll und leidvoll", " and "Die Lorelei", the author highlights the sensitivity of Liszt's word-setting, and the richness and complexity of his harmonic language. Amazingly, he sees in the mourning and world-weariness of "Ich mochte hingehn" a precursor to Mahler's "Ich bin der Welt" and "Der Abschied". He also discusses Liszt's use of the "Tristan chord" in "Ich mochte", and states conclusively that Liszt's later revisions to the his song post-date Wagner's opera. 

Walker's analysis in this and all of the essays is finely detailed, sharply reasoned, and utterly authoritative. My only hope is that in the future he will continue to spin off the excellent material not used in his biography. This is a very fine book, lucid, readable, and pure pleasure to anyone with an interest in Liszt and his exquisite music.

[Ally Betts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alan Walker treats his readers to a revisiting of some of the most profound aspects of Liszt’s colorful, diverse work. It is definitely a must read for any Lisztian, who wants to dive deeper into the musical methodology behind this great composer.

[Amari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb writing. If only more scholarship were written in such an intriguing and thoughtful manner!

I must admit that I always thought of Liszt as nothing more than a long-fingered womanizer. He was far, far more, and he is deserving of our great respect as a beloved teacher, loyal friend, ingenious editor, tireless supporter of both Beethoven and of worthy underdogs everywhere, and perhaps the greatest arranger in music history. A strong and colorful personality who redefined nearly every genre he touched, Liszt has found a true champion in the gifted musicologist Alan Walker, his biographer and devotee.

Many of the essays contained here are of a decidedly technical nature, but the collection shouldn't be missed by those with a more general interest in Liszt's life and teaching.

Personally, I found the Epilogue a bit over the top, but I also applaud Walker's creativity and his obvious love for his subject.

[Robert McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rare piece of writing on music that is interesting, even delightful to read. Walker's scholarship is as inspirational to me as Liszt's output and philanthropy is to him, and I hope to discover (and perhaps one day produce) more of such creative and engaging work.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK, that’s it. After about 1800 pages, I am completely done reading about Liszt. The most interesting part of this volume to me was the author’s letter to Liszt at the end of the book, which summed up his feelings about Liszt’s life.

[Boris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The usual superb Liszt Scholarship from Alan Walker who has set the modern standard that will not be surpassed in our lifetimes. This book also goes more deeply into certain tangential areas of Liszt's life. The chapter on Karl Tausig, Hans von Bulow and Walter Bache was especially interesting for all of the facts that were new to me.

For fans of Liszt and the piano only.

[Richard Pohl · Rating 5 out of 5]

After getting through this book mainly in purpose to find some additional info for my research about Liszt´s piano classes I can only say - WOW and bravo, Mr Walker! And I cant wait to read the "trilogy", too, as soon as possible. A must read for any Lisztian.