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The short answer
Apparitions, S. 155 No. 2 is a character piece by Franz Liszt from the Romantic era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 9, an estimate.
- character piece
- Romantic
- stormy
Also known as Liszt Apparitions - No. 2.
History
The second of Liszt's three early piano pieces called Apparitions is marked Vivamente and dedicated to the Viscountess Frédéric de Larochefoucauld. Liszt composed the set in 1834. Hear this piece's quick motion against the first Apparition's more measured opening.
Sources
What to listen for
Short chordal cells include held replies
Chordal cells, moving replies and held punctuation recur within the opening. Hear their contrasting lengths as a continuing dialogue.
Longer gestures exchange moving roles
Tempo-I wording introduces longer gestures and moving lines that exchange roles. Follow the motion across registers rather than assigning it to one staff.
Maggiore broadens the singing texture
The Maggiore-marked region becomes more chordal and singing. Compare its longer sounds with the earlier compact cells.
Slower chords precede one last small flourish
The closing chords slow before a final small-note flourish and rests. Listen beyond the internal holds to the actual final gesture.
How to practise it
Keep the tied pairs and their offset attacks independently timed.
- Practise the upper rhythm on one comfortable pair, preserving the tie continuations.
- Practise the lower entry alone, then combine only the first gesture.
- Connect the examined gestures slowly while keeping the stated layers distinct.
How hard is it
More active changing textures require agility, clear voicing and controlled transitions between characters.
About this piece
- Collection
- Small scenes, big imagination
- Licence
- CC0
- Source
- musescore.com
More by Franz Liszt
- Consolation No. 1, S. 172Level 4, estimatedWith Maestro
- Liebesträume No. 3, S. 541Level 9, estimatedWith Maestro
- Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2Level 10, estimatedWith Maestro
