Grandes Études de Paganini

Liszt would not have become the artist we know, had it not been for Paganini. In turn, Liszt s absence would have made the history of music and musical performance very different. As such, it is safe to say that the 1832 concert where Liszt first heard the ”Devil s Violinist” play was of historic importance. Following this experience, Liszt emerged renewed from his career crisis of several years and soon found his own voice as a composer. At the same time, he progressed to become the most influential piano virtuoso of all time. Liszt’s Grandes études de Paganini, based on Paganini s capriccios, is one of the fruits of this exceptional encounter. Its significance is attested byFrançois-Joseph Fétis, the prominent critic who commented on the first version, ”There! the creation of the Piano – one did not know until now what it was.”This revised (2018) version is based on the New Liszt Edition, complete with a new preface, critical notes, and a facsimile reproduction. This publication is printed on high quality, durable paper made from renewable raw materials in an environmentally friendly way.