The 12 Études d’exécution transcendante (English: 12 Transcendental Études), Op. 11, are a series of 12 études written from 1897 to 1905 by Sergei Lyapunov. Lyapunov intended them to be the posthumous continuation of Franz Liszt's uncompleted work Transcendental Études, having finished only the first 12 before his death in 1886. The work is also dedicated to Liszt, with the twelfth étude being named after the composer as well.
Inspired by one of his three teachers during his time at Moscow Conservatory Karl Klindworth, a former student of Liszt, along with being heavily influenced and artistically guided by Mily Balakirev, the main ideologue of The Five, these Études use the full gamut of nationalist techniques: From folk-songs and church bells, to Caucasian melodies and sumptuous melodicism.
Contents
Études
Liszt's original intention was to write 24 études in every major and minor key. However, he only completed half of this project, using the neutral and flat keys. As such, Lyapunov's études used the remaining 12 sharp keys.
Berceuse ("Lullaby") in F♯ major
Ronde des Fantômes ("The ghosts' dance") in D♯ minor
Carillon ("Bells") in B major
Térek in G♯ minor
Nuit d'été ("Summer night") in E major
Tempête ("Storm") in C♯ minor
Idylle in A major
Chant épique ("Epic song") in F♯ minor
Harpes éoliennes ("Aeolian harps") in D major
Lesghinka in B minor
Ronde des sylphes ("Dance of the sylphs") in G major
Élégie en mémoire de François Liszt ("Elegy in memory of Liszt") in E minor
Recordings
Lyapunov, S.M.: 12 Études d'exécution transcendante, Op. 11 (Scherbakov, K.) (Naxos, 1993)
LYAPUNOV//12 Études d’exécution transcendante (Noack, Florian) (La Dolce Volta, 2021)