Clash of Titans: Thalberg and Liszt

The reenactment of the historic 1837 duel of pianists Thalberg and Liszt in Paris, featuring the extraordinary talents of international artists Asiya Korepanova and Mark Viner.

Is a reenactment of the historical 1837 pianistic duel between Lizst and Thalberg. Long before American Idol, musical battles were fought in the leading European salons, as music held a central role in the cultural life of 1830’s Europe. Great virtuosi, accorded star status, traveled performing before enthusiastic audiences, often playing their own compositions, which would include transcriptions of orchestral or operatic works. The public had its favorites and would split among different camps, just as with the famous rivalry between Callas and Tebaldi in the XX century.

The program centers on the 1837 pianistic duel between Liszt and Thalberg at the home of Princess Belgiojoso, recreating the atmosphere of the salon, accented by the contemporary dress.

Arch-rivals Liszt and Thalberg were championed by…