Hungarian Rhapsodies, S. 244
Franz Liszt
Work background
Researched classical background
Liszt's nineteen Hungarian Rhapsodies draw on dance idioms and, in many pieces, existing melodies. The last additions include works built from his own motifs. Many explore the contrast between slower, flexible passages and rapidly accelerating display, although the individual pieces differ considerably. They reflect musical traditions Liszt heard in Hungary, especially Roma musicians' performance styles. Several later orchestral arrangements have their own numbering and should not be confused with the piano sequence.
A listening guide
Begin with a slower section and follow how rhythm, register, and texture change when the dance accelerates.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Solo piano; six works were also arranged for orchestra
Composition: Multiple dates, mid-to-late 19th century
The nineteen rhapsodies were composed over several decades; the supplied 1846 is not a date for the full collection.
This entry describes the musical work or cycle. Composition, premiere and publication dates describe different events. Performers and recordings can be explored through the external listening search.
Date, title and version notes
The collection has multiple composition dates.
Orchestral numbering does not map directly to the same piano-rhapsody number.
Hungarian Rhapsody no. 2 | HN1586 | HN 1586
Publisher entry for No. 2, used with its broader scholarly preface; not evidence that the entire collection dates to 1851. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Zigeunern gespielt. Mit ihrer speziellen
Scholarly preface: earlier Hungarian collections, publication of Nos. 1-15, late Nos. 16-19, sources of melodies and arrangement numbering. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
Hungarian Rhapsody no. 2 | HN1586 | HN 1586
Publisher entry for No. 2, used with its broader scholarly preface; not evidence that the entire collection dates to 1851. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Zigeunern gespielt. Mit ihrer speziellen
Scholarly preface: earlier Hungarian collections, publication of Nos. 1-15, late Nos. 16-19, sources of melodies and arrangement numbering. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
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1960-2025. Each year contains 150 selections.