LISZT La lugubre gondola II - Božo Paradžik (db) & Maria Sofianska (pno)

Recorded during the live performance in Prague on September 30th, 2013. Božo Paradžik, double bass Maria Sofianska, piano Scordatura: d-A-E-B contra... well, almost: the lowest tone had to be at 5:54 B flat so tuning lower was necessary for that Hand made nylon core strings by Gerold Genßler model “Red Label“ (ultra low tension) Original footage of the ride in black gondola through the historical centre of Venice was shot in October 2013. ABOUT THE PIECE: Several Liszt’s spiritually prehensive late pieces are concerned with Wagner’s death. Around end of 1882, Liszt was Wagner’s guest at the Palazzo Vendramin in Venice. Liszt may have had a premonition of Wagner’s upcoming death. One day, by walking through the historical centre of Venice Liszt has observed arrival of the black gondola beyond a house and two man dressed in black clothes entering the house. Short after that they came out of the house, carrying a coffin into the gondola and leaving into the wavy winter sea, soon to disappear in the foggy darkness. Deeply impressed by this scene, Liszt has composed two versions of “La lugubre gondola“ still in December 1882 in Venice, anticipating the black, funeral gondola. This is the second version of “La lugubre gondola“. Liszt has arranged a number of his late pieces for various instrumental combinations. Simultaneously with its version for piano solo, Liszt has arranged “La lugubre gondola II“ for violin or cello and piano. This version is here performed on my high tuned double bass. I have dedicated this, my first concert performance of this piece to František Pošta, the great double bass player of 20th century who was my big inspiration, his wonderful playing had highly important influence that I have decided to play double bass back in 1983.