Composer

:

Franz Liszt

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Character Piece

Compose Date

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1848 - 1849

Publication Date

:

1853

Average_duration

:

11:35

Funérailles, S.173/7 is a piano piece composed by Franz Liszt in 1849-1850. It is the seventh piece in the set of piano pieces titled "Harmonies poétiques et religieuses." The piece was composed in memory of three of Liszt's friends who died in the 1848-1849 Hungarian Revolution: Count László Teleki, Count István Széchenyi, and Ferencz Kendy. The piece premiered in Weimar, Germany in 1855, performed by Liszt himself. It is a highly emotional and dramatic piece, reflecting the grief and mourning of the composer. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement, "Octaves," is a somber and mournful introduction. It begins with a series of octaves played in the left hand, which are then echoed by the right hand. The melody is slow and mournful, with a sense of sadness and loss. The second movement, "Dies Irae," is based on the Gregorian chant of the same name, which is traditionally associated with death and judgment. The melody is dark and ominous, with a sense of impending doom. The piece builds in intensity, with the left hand playing a series of rapid arpeggios while the right hand plays the melody. The third movement, "Marche Funèbre," is a funeral march. It begins with a slow and mournful melody, which is then joined by a series of chords played in the left hand. The melody becomes more intense and dramatic, with a sense of anger and frustration. The piece ends with a series of powerful chords, bringing the piece to a dramatic close. Overall, Funérailles, S.173/7 is a powerful and emotional piece, reflecting the grief and mourning of the composer. It is a testament to the power of music to express the deepest emotions and feelings of the human experience.

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