Hyperion Records

The earlier version of the Élégie sur des motifs du Prince Louis Ferdinand de Prusse is full of interest in its treatment of the material. The structure of the piece is Liszt’s, and although the themes stem from another noble dilettante, Prince Louis (1772– 1806) was far more distinguished a musician than Duke Ernst. However, Liszt’s piece has always been catalogued as an original work rather than a transcription, so much has he woven the original melodic ideas into a new conception. (Prince Louis was killed in battle, and never married. The Princess who gave Liszt the volume of Louis’s music was not his wife, but was married to his nephew who succeeded to the title.)

from notes by Leslie Howard © 1996