Consolations

The 'Consolations' are among the best-known piano works by Franz Liszt. Their popularity is due not only to their expressive and lyrical character but also to their relatively moderate pianistic demands. Having a long history, the final version of the six pieces appeared in print for the first time in 1850. The Wiener Urtext Edition provides this version authorized by Liszt for publication, the text of which is mainly based on the German first edition owing to the lack of extant autographs and engraver's copies. In addition, the French first edition as well as separate editions of the Consolations Nos. 3 and 5 published in London or Paris were consulted as well. The edition is complemented by performance notes of the Liszt pupil Lina Ramann which are virtually first-hand records of Liszt's interpretational ideas. Furthermore, a clear notation without page-turn problems makes it easier to study and perform the popular works.