A Very Civilized Find
I recently purchased these old French casts of the hands of Franz Liszt in bronze. Many people regard Liszt as the greatest pianist to have ever lived. His rhapsodies and etudes continue to seperate the men (Volodos, Cziffra, and Kissin) from the boys (Yundi cLang, Watts, and a host of other sad wannabes). The casts–life sized, of course–were made when he was in his fifties and are exceptionally rare. They bear the mark of the famous French foundry (contemporary to the day) of F. Barbedienne. They have been authenticated by comparing close-up photographs of Liszts hands and known casts made at the time of his death. There are several distinguishing features (scar, mole, deep creases) that appear in the proper locations on these casts. The hands are known to be casts, rather than sculpted works, because of the manner in which the fingers tips are depressed on a flat surface.
With them came this fine miniature painting of Liszt on ivory when he was quite a lot older.
January 15th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Please respond to this request being made that we would like to learn more about this bronze work. Please contact soon below.
Franz Liszt Forschungsstelle
Universität Regensburg, Institut f. Musikwissenschaft, Universitätsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg
T: (0941) 943-3038, Tfax: (0941) 943-4408
e-Mail: Detlef.Altenburg@psK.uni-regensburg.de
March 14th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
That is so amazing! I would just love to see something like that up close. Lucky lucky.
September 24th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Dear sir/madam,
Could you take a few photographs of these bronze hands along with a callibrated lineal (cm or inch)? I myself am a pianist and would like to compare my own hands with those of Liszt! Beautiful hands he had!
Thanks, Max.
March 11th, 2009 at 7:18 am
what do you mean Kissin as men and Yundi as boy?
Instead of making vague and biased judgment, learn to play piano yourself. And then, show us what you are criticizing about.
September 3rd, 2009 at 2:41 pm
hello
i would like to know where did you find those hands ?
THANKS
December 4th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Interestingly, I recently stumbled on a young Croatian pianist who is the only individual I’ve ever witnessed who could play Liszt the way the music is written. He actually LOOKS like Liszt did when a young man, and I would love to see his hands compared to Liszt’s. Have a look/listen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byGI1mDi3no
compare to: http://z.about.com/d/musiced/1/0/H/8/liszt.jpg
Dare I suggest it?