Composer

:

Franz Liszt

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1880

Publication Date

:

1950

Average_duration

:

2:14

Franz Liszt's 'In festo transfigurationis Domini nostri Jesu Christi, S. 188' is a sacred choral work composed in 1865. It was premiered on August 6, 1865, at the Cathedral of Gran in Hungary, on the Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. The work is divided into three movements, each of which reflects a different aspect of the Transfiguration story. The first movement, 'Transfiguration,' is a grand and majestic choral setting of the Gospel account of the Transfiguration. The music is characterized by its soaring melodies, rich harmonies, and dramatic contrasts between the choir and the orchestra. The movement begins with a quiet and mysterious introduction, which gradually builds to a powerful climax as the choir sings the words "And he was transfigured before them." The music then subsides into a gentle and peaceful coda, as the choir sings "And they fell on their faces and were sore afraid." The second movement, 'Hymnus,' is a setting of a Latin hymn that celebrates the Transfiguration. The music is characterized by its simple and serene melody, which is sung by the choir in unison. The orchestra provides a gentle accompaniment, with soft strings and delicate woodwinds. The movement ends with a quiet and peaceful coda, as the choir sings "Amen." The third movement, 'Chorus mysticus,' is a setting of a text from Goethe's 'Faust.' The music is characterized by its mystical and otherworldly atmosphere, with ethereal harmonies and shimmering orchestration. The choir sings the words "All that is transient is but a symbol," which are repeated and developed throughout the movement. The music gradually builds to a powerful climax, as the choir sings "The eternal feminine draws us upward," before subsiding into a quiet and peaceful coda. Overall, 'In festo transfigurationis Domini nostri Jesu Christi, S. 188' is a powerful and deeply spiritual work that reflects Liszt's lifelong interest in religion and mysticism. The music is characterized by its grandeur, beauty, and emotional intensity, and it remains one of Liszt's most significant choral works.

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