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This devilish operatic transcription piece was the most-requested by Liszt's fans and audiences at the time the Meyerbeer's opera was produced.

"Valse Infernale" (or "Infernal Waltz") focuses on the cavern chorus scene in the opera, where one of the main characters looks to Hell to try to trick one of the two characters to be refused to win the hand of Queen Isabella. Liszt uses explosions of bass runs, open fifths, short tirade runs, and staccato full octaves to create this diabolic attitude.

Later on, Liszt segues to the 'seduction de jeu" (play of seduction) where one of the characters, who are lured by the nuns who dance, coaxes the character to break off a stick from a talisman tree. This also coincides to the "Gloire au maitre" (Glory to the Master) in the infernal waltz, which is added into the "seduction dance."

As the transcription goes on, there the reprise of the valse theme, leading to the theme of the knight's tournament march.

Eventually, the piece ends with fragments of the valse's reprise.

credits

from Doctor of Musical Arts Lecture​-​Recital at the University of Illinois at Urbana​-​Champaign: Two Selected Franz Liszt Opera Piano Transcriptions (Septermber 18, 2002), released March 13, 2024

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Charles Joseph Smith Chicago, Illinois

Charles Joseph Smith is a pianist, composer, arranger, writer, and dancer based in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Smith has been a staple personality in the Chicago arts community for years. He published an autobiography titled "The 88 Keys That Opened Doors," a book which details his experience in the arts as a person living with autism. He was also a recipient of 2 honorarium grants from Elastic Arts. ... more

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