Ida Zicari, Liszt’s music interpreted by choreographers

The figure of Liszt has been studied from different points of view but his music and the use of it offers every day new ways of investigation. The present article aims at tracing a map of ballets based on Liszt’s works.
Liszt never composed music for choreographic ends but his catalogue with titles in dance forms and programme music give interesting material for creativity to choreographers and dancers. Isadora Duncan, George Balanchine and Frederick Ashton are some of the artists who were inspired by Liszt works. An unsuspected picture emerges from the recognition of Liszt in the world of the dance: Liszt’s music represents not only sound material in the conventional sense for the dancer but expression of formal thought which structures the choreography.

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