Composer

:

Franz Liszt

Genre

:

Concerto

Style

:

Fantasy

Compose Date

:

1846 - 1852

Publication Date

:

1864

First Performance

:

Jun 1, 1853

Average_duration

:

15:56

Hungarian Fantasy, S. 123 is a solo piano piece composed by Franz Liszt in 1852. It was premiered in Pest, Hungary on January 1, 1853, with Liszt himself as the soloist. The piece is divided into two movements, with the first being a slow and melancholic introduction followed by a lively and energetic Hungarian dance. The first movement, marked Lento assai, begins with a hauntingly beautiful melody played in the lower register of the piano. This melody is then repeated in the higher register, accompanied by arpeggios and trills. The mood of the piece gradually becomes more intense as Liszt introduces new themes and variations on the original melody. The movement ends with a quiet and reflective coda. The second movement, marked Allegro molto, is a fast-paced and virtuosic Hungarian dance. It begins with a lively and rhythmic theme played in octaves, followed by a series of variations and improvisations on this theme. Liszt incorporates many traditional Hungarian folk melodies and rhythms into this movement, giving it a distinctly Hungarian flavor. The piece ends with a brilliant and triumphant coda, showcasing Liszt's technical prowess and virtuosity. Overall, Hungarian Fantasy, S. 123 is a masterful example of Liszt's ability to blend classical forms with folk music and improvisation. The piece is characterized by its expressive melodies, virtuosic piano writing, and Hungarian-inspired rhythms and harmonies. It remains a popular and challenging work for pianists today.

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