Liszt-Stradal - "Mazeppa" Symphonic Poem - Risto-Matti Marin Piano

This solo piano arrangement of Liszt's "Mazeppa" was created by August Stradal (1860-1930). He was a virtuoso pianist who arranged all of Liszt's Symphonic Poems for solo piano. He even studied with Liszt for a short time. Risto-Matti Marin (b. 1976) is a Finnish pianist who has recorded Stradal's arrangements of Liszt's Symphonic Poems.


The following is copied from Wikipedia:

Mazeppa, S. 100, is a symphonic poem composed by Franz Liszt 1851–54. It is the sixth in the cycle of thirteen symphonic poems written during his time in Weimar. It tells the story of Ivan Mazepa, who seduced a noble Polish lady, and was tied naked to a wild horse that carried him to Ukraine. There, he was released by the Cossack, which later made him Hetman (military leader).

The composer follows Hugo's narrative, describing the hero's journey through the vast steppes in the first movement. The string section plays the main theme, which is transformed and distorted with six strokes of the timpani that evoke the fall of the rider. After a silence, strings, bassoon and horn soloists express astonishment of the injured, raised by the trumpets at Allegro Marziale. Mazeppa and his cossacks are placed in front of the army (a march is heard) and the return of the hero's theme signifies his end in glory.


References and more info:

Sheet Music: http://conquest.imslp.info/files/imgl...

Mazeppa: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazeppa...)
August Stradal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_...
Risto-Matti Marin: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Mari...