Verdi Liszt La Danza Sacra Duetto Finale Aida Lisitsa

This is an awesome piece by a very very old Liszt. There is nothing flashy or "virtuoso" ( thank you ,Liszt, for not using a famous march or Celeste Aida for this paraphrase lol) but the colors Liszt evokes from the piano , those lush yet eerie colors anticipate what Impressionists were to discover later.
The story here is simple and you probably well know it . If not - here is a very short synopsis: the action takes place in exotic ancient Egypt. But the plot is like any modern soap opera - simple and unbelievable. A love triangle : Pharaoh's daughter falls in love with a promising military man , but he is in love with her slave girl. Everybody suspects everybody. Slave girl turns out ( hello, soap opera ) to be a daughter of Egypt arch-enemy, king of Ethiopia. Egypt is at war with Ethiopia and they seem to be winning , until our hero , blinded by love, tells military secret to his sweetheart. The end is brutal. Pharaoh's daughter offers to save him if he marries her and forgets the other girl. Upon refusal, in rage she orders her beloved to be buried alive in a temple as a sacrifice to angry gods. While the tomb closes over his head he sees that Aida, his beloved , joined him in the grave. What in real life would be a gruesome scene of death by asphyxiation turns by miracle of music into one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Our couple is together without need to hide , for a first time ever they can freely express their love - they bid farewell to mortal life where they suffered so much and look forward to heavens." O terra, addio..." - "Farewell, oh Earth, where we so suffered..."-Meanwhile jealous and rejected pharaoh's daughter keeps dancing on their grave in La Danza Sacra - sacrificial dance. She is the one who now has to hide her bitter tears....

[@phantomfn8]

It is incredible how Liszt wrote for the bass notes at 5:05 have their overtones still sustained by the light portion. These overtones stay sustained until 5:49. To have overtones (especially from a Bosendorfer) sustained that long is pure talent of composition and by the performer! Bravo!!

[@一脸滑稽-k5v]

5:05, 5:49

[@sergeirachmaninov8186]

WHY HAVE I NEVER HEARD THIS BEFORE NOW

[@romanieo]

Stunned. Transfixed. Elevated.

[@Desireyso58]

You are so young and yet, you are already a living legend. Salud Valentina!

[@emperorkitten]

Beautiful playing. Liszt is so fascinating. When Liszt invited Edvard Grieg to meet him, Liszt sight read the A Minor Concerto (playing too fast at first) and commented throughout as he played. He also played Grieg's sonta for violin and piano, but playing both parts at once on the piano.

[@michaelcorenzwit716]

Such beautiful and expressive hands.

[@erick-gd7wo]

this very deep oeuvre coupled with the deep bass from Boesendorfer.... simply perfect.... sounds like ecstasy for my ears.....

[@craigmclanachan1663]

Valentina, I feel you have unlocked the music of Liszt and brought it to a modern world. How Liszt would have loved your Bosendorfer rather than the pianos , I'm told, he frequently broke trying to realise his vision.

[@TeacherMattVlog]

Everytime i hear this piece played and connect it to the Egyptian princess story dancing with tears for His beloved in bitter tears on his grave, just makes me Cry all the time especialyl th slow parts which is sooo emotionally played, thank you valentina

[@SchumannDeppe]

Wonderful!!! You and the Bösendorfer sounding great as always!!!

[@waterpumpphilosopher]

I have listened all evening and night, 5 hours and never tire of Valentina. She is, indeed wonderful.

[@Eristhenes]

This is an exquisite performance, but oh, those chords starting at 8:20 are orgasmic!

[@peterbringenhoes]

The very old Liszt also wrote the two lugubres gondolas, modern and intensely melancholic music. Didnt know this piece, thanks!

[@daphynesilva818]

Uau, incrível👏👏. Sou sua fã Lisitsa e me inspiro em você pra sempre continuar estudando piano

[@matthew1722]

At 8:20 is a perfect example of how to play loud chords powerfully without making it sound like banging. Just amazing.

[@classicalmarimba311]

Any chance of filming any of these works: Liszt - Album d'un Voyageur, Book III S156/3 Liszt - Romancero espagnol, S695c Liszt - Magyar Rapszódiák S242 Liszt - Wilde Jagd - Scherzo, S176a [1st version of Scherzo und Marsch] Rachmaninoff - Nunc Dimittis Op 37 No 5 Glazunov - Sonata No.1, Op. 74 H. Hanson - Sonata in A Major, Op. 11 Vladigerov - Three Pieces Op. 15 J. Marx - Präludium and Fuge Rossini - Péchés de vieillesse [Prelude inoffensive / Petit Caprice (Style Offenbach) / Boléro tartare]

[@PeterBrodie]

Wow! A beautifully inspired performance of an inspired tone poem based on an inspired final scene of an inspired opera! I've never heard this transcription before, and can't imagine myself ever even attempting it, but I'll be back here to listen again - and again ...

[@nlv7125]

I looked for this part of the opera all the day of yesterday, and now I learn that there is a transcription by Liszt! Jesus' Akbar!

[@donnellobrien]

Just beautiful - again. Even your hands lifted in silence. Thank you for sharing your immense talent.

[@tfwaller]

Hey Valentina, I have been enjoying your playing very much.I play classical music and saw a video of you playing Rachmaninoff's 2nd concerto 3rd movement for solo piano in this here video Could you please help me get the sheets for this solo piano piece so that I can enjoy it too?

[@uncd2000]

I love the background detail that Valentina often so thoughtfully provides. It's so helpful in better appreciating what she is playing.

[@ButteredFlied]

Does Valentina herself write these info box descriptions? They're informative as well as fun to read. Thanks!

[@IanPatrickCompton]

who are the 20 people that don't like this......it's a scary thought that someone could not like this if they were truly appreciative of music even at a basic level....

[@sunburntandblonde]

Liszt proving that he doesn't have to show off, that he can be subtle and enganging. Valentina your playing is a delight, you give these works new lives, thank you.

[@kidodragon]

This is beyond beautiful.... Thank you very much for your fantastic descriptions!!! They're always so insightful, personal and interesting. I hope to one day be half the pianist you are.

[@bailahie4235]

What an amazing piece... I always loved Liszt, but this piece is remarkable.... But "not virtuoso"... Perhaps, not by Valentina's standards ;-), but for an "ordinary" pianist ... Listen to 6:48 ;-)

[@atmplayspiano]

Your playing is celestial!

[@lamprinila]

lovely, have a great new year, with a lot of success!!!

[@herol64700]

this my current #1 best favorite Val performance. it demonstrates the breadth of her talents.

[@soulechene]

Il y a quelque chose de superlatif dans cette interprétation sans égal. On est pris par cette transposition de Verdi par Liszt. Le piano est particulièrement somptueux et la valse des doigts de Valentina sur le clavier prend un caractère envoutant inégalable. Je n'ai jamais rien vu de mieux joué ni mieux filmé. Bravo, pour ma part, je suis insatiable de tels chef-d'oeuvre.

[@angelika-dithamorosowa459]

Великолепно!

[@r34lme]

Just uploaded sheet to IMSLP. go to Verdi's Aida and then arrangements :)

[@AdolphoLegnaro]

esta obra muito profunda juntamente com o baixo profundo de Boesendorfer .... simplesmente perfeito .... soa como êxtase para os meus ouvidos .....Concordo plenamente

[@dlgrim0621]

is really funny. When I was a kid We used salmon eggs for fish bait,to catch fish with.Here is Your caviar(fish bait),I hope You enjoy it for lunch or whatever.Salmon eggs was very cheep!Thats "So Nice"(song by Diana krall. "Quiet Nights" by Diana Krall Is really nice,beautyful scenery.This is Her DVD "Live In Rio".Just found her last year.Nifty find.Gloria Estefan is a nifty person.Had to come from a bad buss wreck."Hotel National"Is fast & funny.R.U. ready to hoochie-coochie.Love&PrayerDan

[@dlgrim0621]

tinued. I got to count the measures for the wind section.I thought it was fun so the conductor let Me take care of it.You know,count like 235 measures rest then come in just after the Clarints played such.The audience enjoyed it to.They didn't miss the funny spots because of the language.The Met in NY city.Do they go just for show?Oh well,they don't know what they are missing.I don't think I told You about caviar.The Sturgens are having problems with eggs,so the make it out of Salmon eggs. That

[@TheHankster30]

Liszt lived the life off an absolute rock star! Has anyone had a more glamorous musical career? Paderewski, I guess. Someone asked Liszt why he never wrote a book about his life, and he replied "it was enough to have lived it." How cool is that?

[@612curtis]

Valentina, will you be preforming Totentanz during the concert on the 19th? I hope you are because I would love to hear it! :D By the way epic performance!!!

[@LegendaryWoke]

So classy... your smooth skill, the cinematography, the Bosendorfer :)

[@tommasodazzeo3005]

Bella interpetazione la danza di G .Verdi. Meravigliosa Valentina lisitsa.

[@nmnm6039]

💋.

[@guillermoarambula]

Lisitsa, i´d like to listen you playing Prokofiev Toccata in D minor (Op.11) o Ravel Toccata aus Le tombeau de Couperin. Have you considered them for your next concerts ?

[@burnhardship]

@ValentinaLisitsa Could you possibly map out every area you've ever been just so I know exactly what ground to worship?

[@MiRiNiOR]

Extreme!

[@XyelleX]

Hey Valentina, what do you think of Hamelin's music?? i really like his Etude No.5 'Toccata Grottesca'.

[@rulezz264]

@ValentinaLisitsa Ever taught about playing Chopin's fantasie impromptu? Haven't seen a video of that yet.

[@metoikos5]

So beautiful

[@ancientsolar]

@ValentinaLisitsa Would you consider playing Chopin eEtude 25 11 at the Concert :)

[@KegPatcha]

Hello Valentina. You are my favourite pianist. Any plans for coming to Mexico City?

[@slentilus7439]

How is video not available?!?!?!

[@chrisclr]

Dear valentina, what piece has been the most hardest for you to learn?

[@lucerfarul]

It sounds like a beautiful dream!

[@MrFrapado]

How Beautiful! 🌺🌺🌺🥰🥰🥰👏👏👏

[@mercuryila87]

Wonderful as always!

[@cmoreno12345]

I like the synopsis! That's a cool story that, well...I did NOT know. :)

[@77dientran]

Happy Thnksgiving Day TND

[@Giarola77]

Valentina: You had been playing at "Sala Sâo Paulo" in Sâo Paulo Brazil, some years ago aside Hilary Hahn. What is your frankly opinion concerning the Acoustic of the hall? (If you can remember it after so many others). Kisses

[@Minanto91]

Even your child has started playing the piano? is as good as the mother? Why do not you and Alexei play together anymore?

[@claudioparrella183]

Per me esegue troppo rapidamente questo pezzo che studiero' in futuro

[@MrWerenfeldt]

I have a hard time not listening to your playing...

[@claudioparrella183]

Non trovo che il bosendorfer sia adatto a questa parafrasi

[@cristianfcao]

Didn't know this piano piece. You are absolutely right about it sounding very impressionistic!

[@dlgrim0621]

Hi! I hope everything is going better for You.My mind was somewhere else.So many parts sounded like a mountain stream where it tirckles down to a rapid then trickles down again.Beautyfuly played.Thanks for the music.Opera,nuts! Why? I played the French horn in college.I had so much fun playing an opera in the pit of course.The opera had a very funny man( who liked to joke around) as the lead tenor.He liked to sit down and tell what was going on.If it wasn,t just right he'd make something up.con.

[@SeregaCarpOFF]

Огромное спасибо за игру и за ресурс, восхитительнейшая Валентина!

[@dlgrim0621]

Hi Valentina! this has to be an alltime first.The Lady Gaga of classical pianists.LOLI like Lady Gaga-there is a l;ot more to Her than some people think!You know-if You ever have time You might listen to Her & Tony Bennett's duet "The Lady Is A Tramp".Lady Gaga really does have a very nice voice and She does play the piano.Another point-I think is You don't realize how much pressure You put on all the other Pianists-.Just knowing how good You are.I think everything You play is virtuoso.LvU& Pray

[@valeriavalu2950]

sei stupenda

[@marinikoleishvili5066]

you are great!

[@miguelmouta]

@ValentinaLisitsa At the end, generally.

[@rulezz264]

@ValentinaLisitsa I mean of you playing it ;), you've inspired me to start studying a lot of other pieces, just curious about the Impromptu because, judging you by your other videos, you'd play it really well and it's a piece I've finished studying a few months ago.

[@funk-hazard]

THIS is actually just the very best part of the 0.1 valuable percent of KZbin and subscribing to you was the best thing, I ever did out there in the internet. Thank you, for making this possible through all your reliably fascinating performances.

[@LousyPianist]

Have you ever considered playing Reminiscences de Robert Le Diable? It's a really marvellous piece that soothes you perfectly. :)

[@simmo303]

He was the inventor of the Tone Poem.

[@oscaralfonsosanchezmelende7890]

Simply... The Best !

[@FabrizioScaparraViolinist]

Beautiful...

[@MsCuteLittlePrincess]

@ValentinaLisitsa Valentina, any plans on coming to Iceland? You are my role model as a pianist and I would love to see you performing in Harpa!

[@ChrisRMaldonado]

Valentina I'm playign this piece in my junior recital this spring (I heard a recording of you playing it years ago and I had to learn it). I have only found scores online so far!! WHERE CAN I GET A PRINTED COPY???????? Thank You, -Chris Maldoando

[@herol64700]

holy moly !!! what a GREAT work. has to be the most unusual piece you've uploaded . you have no idea of what gifts these uploads are to me. thank y7ou

[@Archimond789]

Please choose to play Paraphrase Handel sarabanda :) I´m sure that your interpretation will be the best :) Your fan from Slovakia :D

[@TELarson58]

Valentina: Did Liszt do an arrangement of Rigoletto? I really enjoyed this and just can't get enough of your playing.

[@joost5]

Valentina, this is just fantastic. I look forward to every video and often replay your archived performances. You make it look so effortless. I want to give you the money in my wallet it's so good.

[@Пессимист-м3ц]

Прослушал с удовольствием

[@herol64700]

this has moved up into my top 3 videos. what delicacy, what bombast ! i can only imagine what the audiophiles will say when they hear the analog LP . thank you for putting this up on youtube

[@somnynightin78]

If this is truly one of Liszt's later works, I think I like this era of his music than the earlier, showier pieces.

[@djvandrake]

Wonderful! The fluidity of your techniche is astounding. I'm amazed at your skill. Thank you for these videos. :)

[@LousyPianist]

@ValentinaLisitsa that's what I like about it! I wish I'd been there to hear you perform it...

[@SaNaddaf]

Vaentina i love you so much!!! you are my all time favorite pianist!!!!!! and if there is someone who might be better than liszt it is only you!!!!!!!

[@LanFeaR86]

lol at the synopsis. Soap opera, indeed :P Wonderfully played. Will you be playing anywhere in Asia this year? :)

[@stefanopunkskate]

When I subscribed to you two days ago I knew I would have an amazing 2012.... your playing just takes me away :)

[@rulezz264]

@ValentinaLisitsa btw ti horosho igrajesh :P

[@Mixolydian67]

I wish the volumes were louder on the actual sound track so I didn't have to crank my speakers.

[@rlechevalier2002]

I so love your playing. And I've learned so much watching you play and reading your comments.

[@xaviergenaux1531]

Bravo !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Hobott]

You're in love with theatre, opera and literature, I guess, not only with music.

[@madaraIIII]

incredible !

[@Deadhomie100]

I'll be there when Valentina Lisitsa enter Royal Albert Hall 19th of June. Goddamit!

[@mamakokonao]

Are you a disciple of Liszt? Your performance is full of a soul.

[@Slitherroom]

Wow, you are amaaazing! How many hours do you practice every day?

[@1963mathetes]

@MusicStudyMan Actually, "Valentina 97" would be more apropos. =)

[@sunamiassault]

sounds pretty flashy and virtuosic to me (yet so musical).

[@georgecpp]

I wonder how it feels to play so good on such a good Bosendorfer!

[@MabilisTV]

You are so talented! Thank you for sharing your music with us!