Description
The Mephisto Waltzes are four waltzes composed by Franz Liszt in 1859-62, 1880–81, 1883 and 1885. Mephisto Waltz No. 1 is the best-known of the series and, together with No. 3, the most praised musically.
Mephisto Waltz No. 1, Der Tanz in der Dorfschenke (The Dance in the Village Inn) is the second of two short works he wrote for orchestra. While the work preceding it, Midnight Procession (“Der nächtliche Zug”), is rarely given (though both works have been recorded together), the waltz has been a concert favourite, with its passion, sensuality and dramatics generating an emotional impact.
Liszt intended to publish the Waltz simultaneously with the Night Procession, There is naturally no thematic relationship between the two pieces; but they are related nonetheless by all the contrasts of emotions. And so here they are published together by Edition Peters.
