Carl Tausig Ungarische Zigeunerweisen p 1

The Ungarische Zigeunerweisen, (Rhapsody on Gypsy tunes) is certainly Tausigs best original composition. Technical challenges and musicality are perfectly blended in the creation of a firework that doesnt left anything to be desired even if directly compared to Liszts Rhapsodies. It is dedicated to the composers former wife, the gifted pianist Seraphine Von Vrabeln. Seraphines rhapsody starts with a very slow tempo indicated träumerisch (dreamy) moving gradually to a section who impersonates a string instrument playing a cadenza with great abandon. At this point, Tausig introduces what is obviously Seraphines love theme, named verliebt (In Love). The love theme is cleverly interpolated by cadenzas and long arpeggios switching the melody between both hands respectively in the basses and trebles, suggesting man and woman in a tender dialog. This section builds toward a climax followed immediately to the usual fast section. Now, multiple Gipsy tunes follow shortly one after other involving the listener like a whirlwind until a long octave tremolo leaves everything suspended. It is time for the coda, which is indicated prestissimo. It is built on a short motive, which is developed as a theme and variations and it is full of attractive technical challenges, such as repeated notes, descending figurations to be performed with only two fingers, hand crossing and alternating chords everything building toward a rousing ending. Liszt must have felt deeply proud of his former pupils achievement.