Liszt Consolation 3, Piano Tutorial (Slow Motion)

The third Consolation, written in D-flat major, opens with the marking Lento placido. This piece holds a special place among Liszt's compositions, as it is not only the most popular of the Consolations but also a beloved choice for encores.

The style of this Consolation bears a striking resemblance to Chopin's Nocturnes, particularly drawing inspiration from Chopin's Nocturne Op. 27 No. 2. The similarities between these works are often seen as a tribute to Chopin, who passed away in 1849, a year before the publication of the Consolations. However, it is worth noting that Liszt frequently adopted a style reminiscent of Chopin in various pieces, such as his Polonaises, Berceuse, Mazurka brillante, and Ballades.

In 1883, long after composing the Consolation, Liszt received a Grand piano from the Steinway Company, featuring a design that incorporated a sostenuto pedal. Liszt decided to transcribe this Consolation for the new sostenuto pedal, and in a letter addressed to Steinway, he expressed his intentions:

"Regarding the use of your delightful tone-sustaining pedal, I have included two examples: Berlioz's Danse des Sylphes and the third Consolation from my own work. Today, I have only transcribed the introductory bars of both pieces, with the understanding that, if you wish, I will gladly complete the entire transcription, perfectly adapting it to your tone-sustaining pedal."

Liszt advised utilizing the sostenuto pedal sparingly while interpreting this Consolation, emphasizing its positive impact on the more serene passages of the composition.


Link to the score: https://tinyurl.com/2h5cwvsl

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timestamps -

00:00 - Introduction
01:03 - Bar 1
01:40 - Bar 4
02:16 - Bar 7
02:52 - Bar 10
03:27 - Bar 13
04:15 - Bar 17
04:51 - Bar 20
05:27 - Bar 23
06:02 - Bar 26
06:36 - Bar 29
07:10 - Bar 32
07:44 - Bar 35
08:16 - Bar 38
08:38 - Bar 40
09:01 - Bar 42
09:45 - Bar 46
10:28 - Bar 50
11:01 - Bar 53
11:36 - Bar 56
12:14 - Bar 58