"Funeral Heroid" Symphonic Poem No.8 - Franz Liszt

Описание: Budapest Symphony Orchestra conducted by Árpád Joó.

I - Lento lugubre - Marcia funebre - Più lento - Più agitato ed accelerando il tempo poco a poco - Tempo I (Marcia funebre): 0:00

Liszt's "Funeral Heroid" (Héroïde funèbre in French) had its origins on a "Revolutionary Symphony" Liszt had sketched at the same time as the French July Revolution of 1830 took place. It was conceived as a five-movement symphony intended to be dedicated to revolutionary hero Gilbert du Motier (Marquis de Lafayette). However, Liszt abandoned the piece. In 1848, there was a nationalistic uprising in Liszt's home country of Hungary. One of Liszt's friends was killed during this revolution, which caused Liszt to retake the sketches between 1848-50, creating the symphonic poem.

Since Liszt had little experience composing for orchestral forces at the time, the piece was orchestrated by Joachim Raff. But the piece was thoroughly revised and re-orchestrated by Liszt himself between 1854-7. The composer left the following preface: "In these successive wars and carnages, sinister sports, whatever be the colours of the flags which rise proudly and boldly against each other, on both sides they float soaked with heroic blood and inexhaustible tears. It is for Art to throw her ennobling veil over the tomb of the brave, to encircle with her golden halo the dead and dying, that they may be the envy of the living." In sum, it is a funeral oration for the victims of revolutionary violence, no matter what flag they were carrying.

The work takes the form of a funeral march, divided into several sections. The work relies heavily on the use of Hungarian chordal structure and scales, as well as the use of a field snare that introduces the ominous draw of this highly expressive march. It is written in the key of F minor. The first section states the main theme, which is a combination of Hungarian melodies and droning low strings to create a longing cry for those deceased. This theme is passed around the winds and strings of the orchestra, and at times there is a soft accompaniment of bells and chimes, indicating the tolling of funeral bells. These bells come back stronger near the end of the section in tandem with a rapid succession of chromatic notes played by the strings, adding to the tone of absolute devastation at the loss of friends and allies.

The section comes to a close with a restatement of the rolling snare, restating the idea of a military funeral. The next section is much less anguished in tone, instead relying on a hauntingly nostalgic melody in the upper winds to portray the sorrow felt at the loss. In this section, Liszt also introduces a theme played on the brass that heavily reassembles a part of La Marseillaise, the national anthem of France. In the third and final section, Liszt restates the dramatic theme from the beginning, as well as including small bursts of hopeful moments taken from the second section and La Marseillaise. Finally, the piece ends with sombre chorale-like chords in the key of F minor and the rolling of the snare that started the piece.

Picture: "Battle of Temesvár" (1849) by the Hungarian litograph Joseph Lanzedelly the Younger.

Source: https://t.ly/RIc8N

To check the score: https://t.ly/CTXlb