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- Liszt, Franz
- Raff, Joseph Joachim
Duration: 18 minutes
Description: MAZEPPA, S. 100 (Symphonic Poem No. 6) was composed in 1851–1854 by Franz Liszt (1811–1886) as part of his pioneering series of symphonic poems, inspired by Victor Hugo’s poem Mazeppa and the legendary figure of the Ukrainian hetman Ivan Mazepa, who — according to Romantic myth — was bound to a wild horse and carried across the steppes as punishment before rising to future glory. Liszt’s work traces this narrative arc from furious gallop to collapse and ultimate triumph. The symphonic poem was developed with the assistance of Joseph Joachim Raff (1822–1882), who collaborated closely with Liszt in Weimar by helping prepare orchestral scores and refine instrumentation during the creation of several symphonic poems. MAZEPPA was premiered on April 16, 1854, in Weimar under Liszt’s direction, and it quickly became one of the most dramatic and virtuosic entries in the genre. Today MAZEPPA remains a powerful staple of the orchestral repertoire. Instrumentation: 2+1(Picc).2+1(EH).2(1st Eb)+1(BCl).3: 4.3.3.1: Timp.Perc(3): Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set). Reprint edition.