Paraphrase on a Sarabande (and Chaconne) from Handel's Almira S. 181 (1879)

Leslie Howard, piano

This work is listed in Humphrey Searle's authoritative catalogue as a piano transcription. But many Liszt scholars and analysts are unsure about labeling it a piano transcription. First of all, the Sarabande is actually a Chaconne, and the Chaconne (absent from this video) has no ground bass at all. Liszt does indeed faithfully transcribe the Sarabande from Handel's Almira, but only as a springboard for his own set of variations. Searle admittedly believes this work must be considered an original composition from Liszt's late period. (less info)