I'm basically coming new to this set (with a cd with no liner notes
), so, I'm just going to Post my reactions to each. Right now, the player is not important (but, it's a MOR choice).
No.1: Obviously, this is a Long One! My first reaction is as a... piano solo,... rhapsodic! in nature,... with a certain minor key slant that I translate as 'jamming' (yes, very illiterate right now
). It does seem long,... sometimes I thought we were on the next one, but, no,... still, I want to hear it again. I love the tickling treble octaves!
No.2: This ones much more condensed, with the same minor key 'base' as the first piece. Ah!, so THIS? is Gypsy Music? What, going from minor tonic to the 5th is Gypsy Music? Anyhow, at one point I must admit it sounded like bordello music. Still, again, it is fun to hear.
No.3: This one is much darker than the first two, and much shorter, @6mins. This one definitely makes you want to hear it again, much richer.
No.4: Haha, this one is quite exuberant, very Tickle-Mania! There's lots of up and down the keyboard. Again, the very 'earthy' dance melody gives a very peasant village hall feeling. It's the shortest one so far.
No.5: This one starts off real nice and dark and cool, with octave bass. Very nice! This sounds like something I'd improvise. Ah!, I see it's in 'E minor', haha, of course, my favorite 'Rock' key! Well, that explains it's familiarity. Hmm, we're halfway through and it hasn't picked up speed; it's a slow one. There is something slightly macabre,... a candlelit feeling, in a grotto,... under the Opera House... well, maybe not like that. Is this where Liberace was born?
I'm going to guess this is one of the Popular Ones, haha. Mmm,... those bass notes are tasty!
No.6: Now we're back in Dance territory, a very stately one at that! I really like the festive tone here. Hmm,... Db Major, interesting. I can see how that black key bass note makes this piece... it sounds 'four square', like a barn dance or something,... ah, here comes the sad part!
And now we have rhapsodized back to a different dance feel. I do like this stuff so far, very life affirming,... and, on top of that, you can tell it's Liszt, because the actual level of virtuosity is total. So many interesting sounds!
No.7: This has an overt 'gypsy' feel, like what I might think I'd hear in the gypsy village of a Hollywood film,... maybe not, but, a certain 'peasant' quality, rustic, folklore,... the rhythm is very rhapsodic,... yes, this has a certain 'film' quality to it. D minor.,... the 'gypsy violin' key?
No.8: A nice f# minor key. How did I ever miss this? This has "Liszt Rock Star' feel all over it, haha!
