Franz
Liszt (1811–1886) was considered a piano virtuoso and skilled composer of his
time. Beginning studies with his father at age six, it soon became apparent
that the young boy had great talent so he went on to study piano and theory
with other prominent musicians including Carl Czerny and Antonio Salieri. As an
adult, Liszt spent much of his time traveling as a “star” pianist, and also
composing. He was actually the creator of the symphonic poem— an orchestral
work, typically in one movement, that is based on a descriptive theme such as a
poem, dramatic play, etc.
One
of Liszt’s symphonic poems was based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet, a dark tale of a prince avenging his father’s death. You
can listen to Liszt’s musical interpretation of the story below. Do you think
he accurately depicts the tense and eerie nature of this play?
Next
time, we’ll take a look at another setting of Hamlet written by Tchaikovsky.
