Au bord d'une source (Beside a Spring) is a virtuoso piano showpiece by Franz Liszt; it is the 4th piece of the first suite of Années de Pèlerinage (Years of Pilgrimage). There are three separate versions of Au bord d'une source. The first version appears in Liszt's set Album d'une voyageur (1834–1838), and the second in the first suite of Liszt's Années de pèlerinage (1836–1855). The last version is almost identical to the second, except for the final nine bars, which were added by Liszt as a coda for his Italian piano student Giovanni Sgambati, who was also a composer;[1] this lengthened the piece by about 30 seconds. The coda was written in 1863.[2]
The second version of Au bord d'une source is often regarded as the most popular. In the first version the technical difficulties are considerably higher to the pianist, whilst the last version adds nothing but a flashy coda.[3]
Contents |
The main theme of Au bord d’une source comprises a pattern of arpreggiated semi-quavers in the right hand accompanied with the melody in the left, firstly played below the right hand and then played two octaves higher, above the right hand. This constant crossing over of hands places considerable technical demands on the pianist.
Liszt links the various sections of the piece together with passages of intricate scale and arpeggio patterns ascending high into the upper register, descending back down and magically transforming back into the beautiful melody, this allows the whole piece to flow as one. These complex passages require a flawless technique at the keyboard to properly execute.
The piece has a relaxing mood but is a challenge to master for even the most competent performers.[3][4]
The following pianists have recorded the piece:
| Pianist | Duration | Record Label | Recording Date | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vladimir Horowitz[5] | 03:31 | Philips Records | 1947 | Vladimir Horowitz II |
| Vladimir Horowitz | 04:12 | RCA Victor Red Seal | 1975 | Horowitz Rediscovered /Carnegie Hall Recital 1975 |
| Wilhelm Kempff[6] | Decca | 1950s | Franz Liszt: Années de pelèrinage / Deux Légendes | |
| Sviatoslav Richter[7] | 03:07 | Parnassus | 1958 | Sviatoslav Richter in the 1950s, Vol. 3 |
| Jorge Bolet[8] | 03:59 | Philips Records | 1983 | Jorge Bolet II |
| Claudio Arrau[9] | 04:08 | Pearl | 1928 | The Early Recordings |
| Eugen d'Albert[10] | 03:33 | Pearl | 1916 | The Pupils of Liszt |
| Leslie Howard[11] | 04:56 | Hyperion Records | 1996 | Liszt: Deuxième Année de Pèlerinage - Italie/Venezia e Napoli |
| Tony MacAlpine[12] | 03:18 | Shrapnel Records | 1999 | Master of Paradise |
|
|||||||||||