Hunnenschlacht (Liszt)
Hunnenschlacht (The Battle of the Huns),
The painting depicts the battle of the
Structure
The first section of the piece, marked Tempestuoso, allegro non troppo carries Liszt's instruction: "Conductors: the entire colour should be kept very dark, and all instruments must sound like ghosts."[2] Liszt achieves much of this effect by scoring the entire string section to play with mutes, even in fortissimo passages. This section depicts an atmosphere of foreboding and suppressed rage before the battle breaks out.
The second section, Più mosso, begins with a "Schlachtruf" (battle cry) in the horns, which is then taken up by the strings. The main battle theme is then stated, a fully formed version of material from the very opening. This entire section makes use of the so-called
The "Crux fidelis" theme is later taken up by the strings in a quiet, peaceful contrasting section. The music grows in intensity, eventually including an organ and offstage brass section, and it ends triumphantly.
References
- ^ Hunnenschlacht (Symphonic Poem No.11), S.105: Study score, published by Petrucci Library Press.
- ^ Walker, Alan, "Franz Liszt: The Weimar Years", Alfred A. Knopf, 1989
- ^ La Mara (ed.), "Franz Liszt's Briefe", vol. 1, Leipzig, 1893–1905