French pianist Blandine Waldmann invites listeners on a breathtaking journey with her latest release: Liszt’s Transcendental Étude No. 12, Chasse-neige. This masterpiece, often regarded as the pinnacle of the Transcendental Études, explores the swirling tumult of snowstorms through tremolos, chromatic cascades, and a gradual crescendo to an emotionally charged climax, mirroring the Romantic era’s use of nature to convey profound human emotion.

For Blandine, Chasse-neige is more than a virtuosic feat. “Nature becomes symbolic, reflecting the most intense emotions and inner turmoil”, she explains, drawing parallels between Liszt’s music and the evocative landscapes of Friedrich or Turner. Her passionated interpretation captures the étude’s psychological depth and modernistic chromaticism, emphasizing its timeless resonance.