This piece contains the most dissonant chord of the nineteenth century: a polychord of an obstinate C augmented over an F diminished chord. The ascending melodic motif in the lowest voice here of E, F, B is all in the same pedal, creating this acute dissonance. It has been fittingly described by Peter Raabe as the sound of a prisoner banging on his cell wall, knowing full well that nobody can hear him.
Unstern! (‘Unlucky’, or ‘Evil Star’) contains some brutally unfriendly harmony, with its open tritones, whole-tone harmony, augmented triads over a pedal and violent dissonance before the organ-like closing section brings a measure of peace, if no final balm. Small wonder that Liszt spoke of his musical language not being understood in his lifetime! (Howard)
Pf: Aidan Módica (Live performance in Newcastle, 25/09/2023)
15 ноя 2023
