Composer

:

Franz Liszt

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Etude: Concert

Compose Date

:

1851

Publication Date

:

1852

Average_duration

:

3:48

Franz Liszt's 'Feux-follets, etude for piano in B flat major, S. 139/5' is a virtuosic piece that was composed in 1851. It was premiered by Liszt himself in Weimar, Germany in the same year. The piece is part of a set of twelve etudes that Liszt composed between 1837 and 1852, which are collectively known as the 'Transcendental Etudes'. 'Feux-follets' translates to 'will-o'-the-wisps' or 'ignis fatuus', which are ghostly lights that are said to appear over marshy ground at night. The piece is characterized by its rapid and intricate arpeggios, which evoke the flickering and elusive nature of these lights. The piece is also notable for its use of chromaticism and dissonance, which create a sense of tension and unease. The etude is in B flat major and is divided into three sections. The first section is marked 'Allegretto', and features a playful and light-hearted melody that is accompanied by a rapid and continuous stream of arpeggios. The second section is marked 'Presto', and is more intense and dramatic than the first. The arpeggios become even more rapid and complex, and the melody becomes more dissonant and chromatic. The third section is marked 'Meno mosso', and is a return to the playful and light-hearted mood of the first section. The arpeggios become slower and more spacious, and the melody becomes more lyrical and expressive. Overall, 'Feux-follets' is a challenging and virtuosic piece that showcases Liszt's technical prowess as a pianist and his innovative approach to harmony and form. It is a testament to his status as one of the greatest pianists and composers of the Romantic era.

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