DESCRIPTION:
Liszt's Ballade No.2 tells us a mythical love story. You can find more videos on juliawallin.com

Liszt, probably the first known performer to have caused 'hysteria', was a man of contradictions. During his lifetime he was a monk and a womaniser (although not simultaneously!), and truly revolutionized the way we view pianists today.

Inspiration for ballade number two is thought to be the Greek myth of Hero and Leander. Hero was a priestess of Afrodite, living in a tower in Sestos on the European side of Dardanelles. Leander, from the other side of the strait, fell in love with beautiful Hero and swam every night across Hellespont to meet her.

One stormy wintery night, a breeze blew out Hero's lamp, which had guided Leander, and he lost his direction. Tragically, he drowned in the stormy sea, and Hero was left alone. Romantic at heart, Liszt composed a beautiful, hopeful ending, creating the idea of a lover's unity in the afterlife.