Composer

:

Franz Liszt

Genre

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Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

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1839

Average_duration

:

17:23

"Après une lecture du Dante I, S. 158c" is a solo piano piece composed by Franz Liszt in 1849-1856. The piece is part of a larger collection of works called "Années de pèlerinage" (Years of Pilgrimage), which is divided into three volumes. The first volume, which includes "Après une lecture du Dante I," was composed during Liszt's travels through Switzerland and Italy. The piece is based on Dante Alighieri's "Divine Comedy," specifically the first part of the "Inferno" section. The title translates to "After Reading Dante I," and the piece is meant to evoke the emotions and imagery of Dante's work. The piece is in one movement and lasts approximately 15 minutes. The piece begins with a slow, ominous introduction that sets the mood for the rest of the piece. The main theme is then introduced, which is a series of descending chromatic scales that represent the descent into hell. The theme is repeated and developed throughout the piece, with Liszt using various techniques such as tremolos, arpeggios, and octaves to create a sense of tension and drama. The middle section of the piece is more lyrical and introspective, with Liszt using a slower tempo and more delicate playing to create a sense of reflection. However, the tension and drama of the opening theme returns, and the piece ends with a powerful and dramatic coda. Overall, "Après une lecture du Dante I" is a complex and challenging piece that showcases Liszt's virtuosity as a pianist and his ability to evoke powerful emotions through music. It premiered in Weimar, Germany in 1856, and has since become one of Liszt's most famous and beloved works.

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