Piano Duel: Liszt vs Thalberg

Fri Oct 02 2026

October 02, 2026

7:30PM

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Piano Duel: Liszt vs Thalberg

A recreation of a historic 1837 battle of the two piano titans

Asiya Korepanova as Liszt with a special secret guest as Thalberg

The 1837 Liszt-Thalberg rivalry was the most legendary piano duel in music history, pitting the fiery, theatrical showmanship of Franz Liszt against the elegant, subtle "three-hand" technique of Sigismond Thalberg.

They performed their blazing concert fantasies and paraphrases on operatic themes against each other at a competition hosted at the Paris salon of Princess Cristina Belgiojoso as a benefit concert for Italian refugees.

The glittering assembly of critics and nobles refused to declare a definitive loser. Princess Belgiojoso diplomatically announced, "Thalberg is the first pianist in the world—Liszt is unique."

THE EVENING'S PROGRAM:

Thalberg: Fantasy on Rossini's Moïse (played at the 1837 duel)
Liszt: Grand Fantasy on Pacini's Niobe (played at the 1837 duel)
Thalberg: Grand Caprice on Motifs from Bellini's La Sonnambula
[intermission]
Liszt: Reminiscences of Meyerbeer's Robert le Diable
Liszt: Andante Finale from Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor
Liszt: Reminiscences of Mozart's Don Juan

Generous support for this show is provided by:

Ralph Frable & Winnie Mitchell-Frable

This performance is made possible in part by our 26/27 Season Sponsors:

Flintworks

David & Gigi Jack

The Naumann Family

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