Composer

:

Franz Liszt

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1879

Publication Date

:

1879

Average_duration

:

4:57

Franz Liszt's "Erlkönig (III)" is a solo piano transcription of Franz Schubert's famous lied, "Erlkönig." Liszt composed this piece in 1874, and it premiered in the same year in Weimar, Germany. The piece is part of Liszt's "Transcendental Etudes," a set of twelve virtuosic piano pieces that showcase Liszt's technical and musical prowess. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which represents a different character in the story of "Erlkönig." The first movement is marked "Presto agitato," and it represents the galloping horse that carries the father and son through the forest. The music is frenzied and intense, with rapid arpeggios and octaves that create a sense of urgency and danger. The second movement is marked "Andante," and it represents the father's voice as he tries to calm his frightened son. The music is more lyrical and expressive, with flowing melodies and gentle harmonies that create a sense of comfort and safety. The third movement is marked "Allegro," and it represents the voice of the Erlkönig, the supernatural being who tries to lure the son away from his father. The music is dark and menacing, with dissonant harmonies and jagged rhythms that create a sense of unease and foreboding. Overall, Liszt's "Erlkönig (III)" is a virtuosic tour-de-force that showcases the pianist's technical and musical abilities. The piece requires a high level of skill and control, with rapid runs, complex chord progressions, and intricate textures that challenge even the most accomplished pianists. At the same time, the piece is deeply expressive and emotionally powerful, capturing the drama and intensity of Schubert's original song in a new and exciting way.

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