Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2

Franz Liszt (1811 - 1886)

arranged Bendel

Liszt aptly names this work "Rhapsody", the word being derived from Greek and meaning literally "a portion of an epic" and a medley of such fragments performed in succession.

Like most of his Hungarian Rhapsodies, it is based on the form of the Hungarian Czardas - a nineteenth century version of the older Verbunkos or soldiers' recruiting dance - having two main sections: a "lassu" which acts as

a slow introduction, followed by a "friska" which is wild and rapid in character.

The Gypsy style is maintained throughout the work by the frequent use of augmented intervals, elaborately ornamented cadences and accented off-beats.

Originally composed for solo piano, the work is heard here in a piano duet arrangement by one of Liszt's pupils..