Franz Liszt - Hungarian Rhapsodie No.2 - Sylvain Blassel, harp

Written in 1847, the second Hungarian Rhapsody is probably one of the most popular pieces written by Liszt. The whole work is fully inspired by Gipsy traditional music. It starts with the Lassan, which solemnity really contrasts with the following Friska full of joy, happiness and incredibly virtuoso. Sylvain Blassel is the first harpist to play entirely the second Hungarian rhapsody. His transcription is very close from the original version apart from the tone and a few short sections slightly modified for a better effect at the harp. Sylvain Blassel plays this time on an 1898, Gothic styled Erard harp (Paris branch). Composée en 1847, la deuxième rhapsodie hongroise est sans doute l’une des partitions les plus populaires de Liszt. Inspirée en tous points des musiques tziganes, la gravité de la première partie, Lassan, contraste avec la joie et la bonne humeur du Friska suivant, d’une impressionnante virtuosité. Sylvain Blassel est le pr