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Franz Liszt

Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244

LW A132 · R. 106 · 1846–1853 (nos. 1–15), 1882–1885 (nos. 16–19)

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Total duration: 145'

Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsodies exist in various versions. They are based on various Hungarian folk themes.

Around 1839–1840, Liszt wrote and published eleven Magyar Dalok (S. 242/1–11; LW A60a; R. 105a). Around 1846–1847, he wrote and published a further six Magyar Rapszódiák (S. 242/12–17; LW A60b; R. 105b). In addition to these six, there were a further four that were prepared for publication but not published (S. 242/18–21; LW A60c; R. 105c), the published Pester Carneval (S. 242/22; LW A60e=A132/9a; R. 106/9a), and the recently-identified Rêves et fantaisies (S. 242/23, formerly 695d; LW T5). These twenty-three pieces are usually treated as a single collection, the Magyar Dalok and Magyar Rapszódiák.

Liszt often played combinations of the Magyar Dalok in recitals. One such example is nos. 5, 4 and 11, which was published as the Trois mélodies hongroises (by Bernard Latte) and the Ungarische Nationalmelodien (by Haslinger) (S. 243; LW A60d; R. 105d); these make small changes to the outer pieces and leave the inner piece unchanged. The Haslinger version primarily differs from the Latte version in that it contains short cadenzas in the outer pieces; it also exists in a further, simplified version (S. 243bis; LW A60d; R. 105d).

After the Magyar Dalok and Magyar Rapszódiák, Liszt began a collection of simplified versions called Zigeuner-Epos (S. 695b). This set exists in sketch form only, but in a state that is still performable. The contents correspond to nos. 3, 6–10 and 12 of the earlier set, where the material from nos. 6 and 12 is combined to form a single piece.

In 1853, Liszt finished and published a set of fifteen Rapsodies hongroises (S. 244/1–15; LW A132/1–15; R. 106/1–15) that are based on the earlier Magyar Dalok and Magyar Rapszódiák. He later, in 1882–1885, added four further pieces to this set (S. 244/16–19; LW A132/16–19; R. 106/16–19); the first three of these are, unlike the other rhapsodies, based on original themes.

The below table gives a summary of the relationships between the Magyar Dalok and Rapszódiák, the Rapsodies hongroises, and the other works for solo piano.

S. 244/S. 242/S.
123171a/3
2––
311–
47–
56, 12–
64–5, 11, 20243
715–
819–
922–
1016–
1114–
1218, 20–
1317–
1421–22–
1510, 13242a, 244a–c, 692c
16–19––

Recommended editions

1. E major

Liszt also used one of the themes in the third of the Consolations (S. 171a; LW A111a).

Duration: 14' 30"

Difficulty: 4.5

Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 1. E major Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 1. E major Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 1. E major Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 1. E major

2. C-sharp minor

Liszt later wrote out a series of elaborations to this rhapsody (S. 244/2bis), including two cadenzas following bar 420.

This rhapsody is one of six that Liszt and Franz Doppler arranged for orchestra (S. 359; LW G21; R. 441) and, from this, for piano duet (S. 621; LW B41; R. 309).

Duration: 9' 30"

Difficulty: 4.5

Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 2. C-sharp minor Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 2. C-sharp minor Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 2. C-sharp minor Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 2. C-sharp minor

3. B-flat major

Duration: 4' 30"

Difficulty: 3.5

Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 3. B-flat major Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 3. B-flat major

4. E-flat major

Duration: 5' 30"

Difficulty: 4.5

Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 4. E-flat major Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 4. E-flat major Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 4. E-flat major

5. E minor (Héroïde-élégiaque)

This rhapsody is one of six that Liszt and Franz Doppler arranged for orchestra (S. 359; LW G21; R. 441) and, from this, for piano duet (S. 621; LW B41; R. 309).

Duration: 10'

Difficulty: 3.5

Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 5. E minor (Héroïde-élégiaque) Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 5. E minor (Héroïde-élégiaque)

6. D-flat major

This rhapsody is one of six that Liszt and Franz Doppler arranged for orchestra (S. 359; LW G21; R. 441) and, from this, for piano duet (S. 621; LW B41; R. 309).

Duration: 6' 30"

Difficulty: 4.5

Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 6. D-flat major Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 6. D-flat major Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 6. D-flat major Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 6. D-flat major

7. D minor

Duration: 5' 30"

Difficulty: 4

Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 7. D minor Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 7. D minor Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 7. D minor

8. F-sharp minor

Duration: 6' 30"

Difficulty: 4

Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 8. F-sharp minor Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 8. F-sharp minor Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 8. F-sharp minor

9. E-flat major (Le Carnaval de Pest)

This rhapsody is one of six that Liszt and Franz Doppler arranged for orchestra (S. 359; LW G21; R. 441) and, from this, for piano duet (S. 621; LW B41; R. 309). Liszt also made an arrangement for piano trio (S. 379; LW D6; R. 470).

Duration: 11'

Difficulty: 5

Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 9. E-flat major (Le Carnaval de Pest) Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 9. E-flat major (Le Carnaval de Pest) Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 9. E-flat major (Le Carnaval de Pest) Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 9. E-flat major (Le Carnaval de Pest) Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 9. E-flat major (Le Carnaval de Pest)

10. E major

Liszt includes a simpler ossia in small parts of this rhapsody (S. 244/10bis).

Duration: 6'

Difficulty: 5

Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 10. E major Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 10. E major Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 10. E major

11. A minor

Duration: 5' 30"

Difficulty: 4.5

Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 11. A minor Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 11. A minor Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 11. A minor Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 11. A minor

12. C-sharp minor

This rhapsody is one of six that Liszt and Franz Doppler arranged for orchestra (S. 359; LW G21; R. 441) and, from this, for piano duet (S. 621; LW B41; R. 309). Liszt also made an arrangement for violin and piano (S. 379a).

Duration: 10'

Difficulty: 5

Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 12. C-sharp minor Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 12. C-sharp minor Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 12. C-sharp minor Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 12. C-sharp minor

13. A minor

Duration: 9'

Difficulty: 4.5

Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 13. A minor Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 13. A minor Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 13. A minor Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 13. A minor

14. F minor

Alongside the rhapsody, Liszt used the same themes in his Fantasie über ungarische Volksmelodien (S. 123; LW H12; R. 458) for piano and orchestra.

This rhapsody is one of six that Liszt and Franz Doppler arranged for orchestra (S. 359; LW G21; R. 441) and, from this, for piano duet (S. 621; LW B41; R. 309).

Duration: 12'

Difficulty: 5

Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 14. F minor Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 14. F minor Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 14. F minor Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 14. F minor Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 14. F minor Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 14. F minor

15. A minor (Rákóczi-Marsch)

Liszt made multiple arrangements of the Rákóczi-Marsch. The first version (S. 242a; LW A59) was intended for the Magyar Dalok, but was not published for political reasons. It also exists in an incomplete, simplified version (S. 692d; LW A59).

The second version (S. 242/13; LW A60b/2; R. 105b/2) is part of the Magyar Rapszodiak. It also exists in a simplified version (S. 242/13bis).

The third version (S. 244c; LW A132/15a) is a new, simpler arrangement described as an édition populaire.

The fourth version (S. 244/15; LW A132/15; R. 106/15a) is part of the Rapsodies hongroises, which, as a set, is a revision of the Magyar Dalok and Magyar Rapszódiák.

The fifth version arises from a new, orchestral arrangement of the march (S. 117; LW G29; R. 439). Liszt subsequently made an arrangement of this for solo piano (S. 244a; LW A224; R. 106/15b), a simplified arrangement for solo piano (S. 244b), as well as further arrangements for two pianos (S. 652a; LW C25), two pianos eight hands (S. 652b), and piano duet (S. 608; LW B33; R. 310).

For small parts of the version in the Rapsodies hongroises, Liszt includes a simpler ossia (S. 244/15bis).

Duration: 6'

Difficulty: 4.5

Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 15. A minor (Rákóczi-Marsch) Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 15. A minor (Rákóczi-Marsch) Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 15. A minor (Rákóczi-Marsch)

16. A minor

This rhapsody exists an earlier version (S. 244/16i) that has only minor differences. Liszt also arranged this rhapsody for piano duet (S. 622; LW B57; R. 311).

Duration: 5' 30"

Difficulty: 4

Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 16. A minor Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 16. A minor Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 16. A minor

17. D minor

Duration: 3'

Difficulty: 3.5

Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 17. D minor Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 17. D minor

18. F-sharp minor

The ending of this rhapsody exists in two earlier versions (S. 244/18i and 244/18ii). Liszt also arranged this rhapsody for piano duet (S. 623; LW W12; R. 312).

Duration: 3' 30"

Difficulty: 3.5

Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 18. F-sharp minor Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 18. F-sharp minor

19. D minor

Liszt arranged this rhapsody for piano duet (S. 623a; LW W13).

Duration: 11'

Difficulty: 4

Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 19. D minor Rapsodies hongroises, S. 244; 19. D minor

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