This is a studio recording from 2012 for the BBC film 'Loving Miss Hatto'. A biopic penned by the British comedian Victoria Wood about pianist Joyce Hatto.

The character piece is like the art song's fun-loving cousin who always shows up to the party with a bottle of emotional perfume. It's perfect for those intimate gatherings or solo rendezvous with your piano. Thanks to the piano's rise to fame in the 1800s, character pieces were popping up everywhere, and composers were flaunting their creations at the hottest recital events of the time. Basically, character pieces were the 19th century's version of a hot new single. If you thought Franz Liszt's music was boring, think again! This guy was all about giving his character pieces creative and whimsical titles, like "Sposalizio" and "Vallée d'Obermann". But don't worry, he didn't forget about those of us who like our music titles to be a little more straightforward - he also composed plenty of works with no-nonsense names like "Album Leaves" and "Klavierstücke". With his "Consolations" (a.k.a. "Six Poetic Thoughts"), Liszt took a page out of Chopin's book and delved into the world of nocturnes. And let me tell you, the third Consolation in D-flat major is pure Chopin - even the key is pianist-friendly, unlike those pesky "easy" keys like C major. Looks like Liszt knew a thing or two about pleasing his audience! If you're a Chopin fan, you're gonna love Liszt's "Consolation No. 3"! I mean, talk about a tribute - this piece is basically a carbon copy of Chopin's Opus 27, no. 1. And while it might not have the same flashy piano solos that Liszt is known for, it more than makes up for it with its dreamy, slow-moving melodies. Plus, it's in the same key as Chopin's original, so you know it's gotta be good.

Despite the unusual title, the Consolations were inspired by both poetry and religious contemplation, just like Harmonies Poétiques et Religieuses. Some say the title comes from an 1830 poetry collection by Sainte-Beuve, while others think it's based on a poem by Lamartine called A Tear (or Consolation). Either way, it seems like Liszt was in a pretty contemplative mood when he wrote these pieces. But don't worry, Liszt didn't completely forget his roots - he snuck in a little Hungarian folk song as the primary theme, which he later used in his "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 1". So even though this piece might not match the wild, hair-flailing image we have of Liszt, it's still got a little bit of that old-school flavor. Liszt's "Consolation No. 3" wasn't just a musical masterpiece - it was also a major turning point in the composer's life. And let me tell you, Liszt's early life was a doozy - it was basically one big, crazy party. But don't take my word for it, just ask his first mistress (and mother of his three children) Marie d'Agoult, who wrote all about it under the pen name Daniel Stern. And if you're feeling really adventurous, you can even watch the 1975 film "Lisztomania" for all the juicy details. Talk about living the dream! Liszt's life was like something out of a Hollywood movie - seriously, this guy was breaking class barriers and performing like a superstar. But as he got older, he decided to trade in the limelight for a little bit of privacy. He started conducting orchestras and composing more, and even started teaching aspiring pianists from around the world. I guess you could say he was the original piano man!

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Piano: Yamaha C7
Piano Technician: Martin Walsh
Recorded at Cauldron Studios, Dublin
Recording Engineers: Ciarán Byrne & Michael Manning
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Franz Liszt Consolation no. 3 in D flat Major, S. 172

II-Kyrie
BACH-CHOR WELS
SALTO VOCALE
Thomas Huber, Dirigent
Recorded live October 16, 2022 at Herz Jesu Kirche, Wels
Recording engineer: Michael Borek
Initial album released December 16, 2022.
Remixed and remastered February 2025 at MVB Records
© 2025 MVB Records

II-Kyrie

I-Introitus-Requiem
Elisabeth Eder, Sopran
BACH-CHOR WELS
SALTO VOCALE
Thomas Huber, Dirigent
Recorded live October 16, 2022 at Herz Jesu Kirche, Wels
Recording engineer: Michael Borek
Initial album released December 16, 2022.
Remixed and remastered February 2025 at MVB Records
© 2025 MVB Records

I-Introitus-Requiem

III-Sequenz-Rex Tremendae
BACH-CHOR WELS
SALTO VOCALE
Thomas Huber, Dirigent
Recorded live October 16, 2022 at Herz Jesu Kirche, Wels
Recording engineer: Michael Borek
Initial album released December 16, 2022.
Remixed and remastered February 2025 at MVB Records
© 2025 MVB Records

III-Sequenz-Rex Tremendae

III-Sequenz-Recordare
Elisabeth Eder, Sopran
Monika Wäckerle, Alt
Bernhard Berchtold, Tenor
Thomas Schneider, Bass
BACH-CHOR WELS
SALTO VOCALE
Thomas Huber, Dirigent
Recorded live October 16, 2022 at Herz Jesu Kirche, Wels
Recording engineer: Michael Borek
Initial album released December 16, 2022.
Remixed and remastered February 2025 at MVB Records
© 2025 MVB Records

III-Sequenz-Recordare

Kjell Fagéus, clarinet Hans Samuelsson, bassoon Stefan Bojsten, piano (Early recording 1979)
Presto - Andante - Allegretto grazioso


I-Introitus-Requiem

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