Liszt vs. Thalberg

Synopsis

On today’s date in 1837, Princess Cristina Belgiojoso-Trivulzio, scored the social coup of the season at her Parisian salon. Ostensibly, it was the culmination of a three-day fundraiser in aid of Italian political refugees, but it really was the artistic equivalent of a prize fight — the fists in question pummeling the piano keyboard, a digital confrontation of the two leading virtuoso pianists of the day, Sigismund Thalberg and Franz Liszt.

Thalberg was up first, playing his own Fantasy on Themes from Rossini’s opera, Moses.  Liszt followed with one of his fantasias based on operatic themes. The music critic for the prestigious Journal des Debats was present, and he wrote, “Never was Liszt more controlled, more thoughtful, more energetic, more passionate. Never has Thalberg played with greater verve and tenderness. Each used every one of his resources. It was an admirable joust. The most profound silence fell over the noble crowd assembled, and, finally, Liszt and Thalberg were both proclaimed victors by this glittering and intelligent assembly. Thus: two victors and no vanquished.”

When asked for her verdict who had “won” the contest, the hostess, Princess Cristina replied with consummate diplomacy: “Thalberg is the first pianist in the  world — Liszt is unique,” she said.

Music Played in Today's Program

Sigismund Thalberg (1812-1871): Fantasy on Rossini’s ‘The siege of Corinth’; Francesco Nicolosi, piano; Marco Polo 8.223367

Franz Liszt (1811-1886): Fantasia on Italian Operatic Melodies; Andreas Pistorius, piano Capriccio 10076

On This Day

Births

• 1732 - Austrian composer Franz Joseph Haydn, in Rohrau

• 1872 - Russian ballet impresario Sergei Diaghilev, in Gruzino, Novgorod district (Julian date: Mar. 19)

Deaths

• 1880 - Polish composer and violinist Henryk Wieniawski, 44, in Moscow

• 1901 - British composer Sir John Stainer, 60, in Verona, Italy

Premieres

• 1723 - Handel: Concerto in F (Julian date: March 20)

• 1739 - Handel: Organ Concerto in A (HWV 296a) (Julian date: March 20)

• 1745 - Rameau: opera-ballet, Platée, at Versailles

• 1784 - Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 16, in Vienna, with composer as soloist

• 1794 - Haydn: Symphony No. 100 (Military), conducted by the composer on his 62nd birthday, at the Hanover-Square Concert Rooms in London

• 1841 - R. Schumann: Symphony No. 1 (Spring), by Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Felix Mendelssohn conducting

• 1901 - Dvorák: opera Rusalka, in Prague at the National Theater

• 1913 - Webern: Six Pieces for orchestra, in Vienna

• 1932 - Chávez: ballet Horsepower, in Philadelphia

• 1947 - Ulysses Kay: Short Overture, in New York City

• 1949 - William Grant Still: opera Troubled Island, in New York City

• 1951 - R. Strauss: Munich Waltz, posthumously in Vienna; This music was originally written for the 1939 film

• 1961 - Françaix: L’Horloge de Flore, by oboist John de Lancie, and the Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy conducting

• 2001 - Peter Lieberson: Piano Quintet, at Carnegie Hall, by pianist Peter Serkin with the Orion String Quartet

Others

• 1837 - Franz Liszt and Sigismond Thalberg, the two reigning virtuosi of their day, perform a sort of pianistic “duel” at a benefit concert in aid of Italian refuguees at the Parisian salon of Princess Cristina Belgiojso-Trivulzio.