Liszt Ferenc: Technical Studies Vol. II
Liszt, Works for Piano Solo, Supplementary vol. 2
In his technical exercises, Liszt always considered musical expression and tone quality to be more important than rapid, loud, and empty playing; this is indicated in a brief annotation before the first exercise. The exercises move through all the keys in a cycle of fifths, and aim to overcome all manner of problems of piano technique. The three parts form a single large whole, which is far more than a collection of technical formulae: it represents the culmination of the virtuoso instrumental tradition of the nineteenth century.
All three volumes include a detailed preface in German, English, and Hungarian, including new research findings and manuscript facsimiles, as well as critical notes in English. Along with the cloth-bound edition, a practical paperback version has also been published, the contents of which are identical.