“Widmung,” which translates to “Dedication,” is a song from a collection entitled “Myrthen” written by Robert Schumann as a wedding gift for his wife, Clara...

...and in this recording, it was the pianist Franz Liszt who recast it in his moving transcription.

Despite the prevailing Romantic tendencies in composition at the time, Liszt maintains an appropriate pianistic restraint in his arrangement, keeping the piano accompaniment supportive to the melody for the first two-thirds of the piece.

It is in the final section that Liszt surrounds the melody with sound using rising and falling arpeggios - a very popular device at that time - creating drama appropriate to the music and occasion of it’s original composition.

The overall effect of this piece is quite beautiful, enjoyable to listen to, and gratifying for pianists to play. 

A suggestion to pianists investigating this transcription - its difficulty level is moderate and the writing straightforward.

The rhythm should be steadfast - though with some appropriate flexibility in consideration of the text. But, in the final arpeggio section of this transcription, there needs to be some elasticity in those arpeggios, so they aren’t reduced to a Czerny exercise.

As a result, the beats may expand and collapse which is not only normal but right. One has to fight the impulse to “keep time.” 

I do encourage pianists to read the translation of the song text itself and inculcate their meaning in your playing, as it is an artistic responsibility that will bring life to the music even as you (and other interested listeners!) may find some relevance and resonance with the words. Bonne chance! 

Listen to Liszt's transcription of Schumann's Widmung

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