Transcendental Execution Studies
Franz Liszt

Liszt's “Studies of Transcendent Performance” are undoubtedly one of the most beautiful jewels of piano music in virtue of virtuosity. Their visionary language and their poetic expression make them at the same time an important milestone in romantic music.
This cycle of twelve studies, dating from 1852, is the result of a complete reworking by the composer of a series already published in 1827 and 1839. Thus the main source used for this edition is a printed copy of the initial version with numerous handwritten corrections by the composer. Among these studies, each of which bears a title, certain compositions with a less assertive character of study but which stand out on the contrary by their individual imprint have also imposed themselves separately in the repertoire of the concert performer - in this regard, it should be mentioned among the most known "Evening Harmonies" and "Mazeppa".