Description
Composed in 1853, this is the second of Liszt's two Ballades. A single theme undergoes dramatic transformation throughout the work, contrasting turbulent virtuosic passages with lyrical melody. Its substantial length and note count demand considerable stamina and expressive range from an advanced pianist. Its narrative-like ebb and flow strongly reflects Liszt's programmatic approach to composition.
A genre Chopin pioneered — large-scale solo piano works with a narrative, epic quality.
Sheet Music
Sheet music provided by Mutopia Project
About the Composer
Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
Franz Liszt was a Hungarian-born virtuoso pianist and composer whose legendary performances earned him fame across Europe as the "wizard of the piano." Beyond his transcendent technique, he was also an innovative composer who created the symphonic poem as a genre, and he is equally remembered for meditative miniatures like the Consolations and dramatic works like the Ballades. This site includes 4 of his works, including Ballade No. 2 and Consolations No. 1, 3, and 4.
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