A Symphony to Dante's Divine Comedy (Dante Symphony)
Franz Liszt
Work background
Researched classical background
Liszt organized his Dante Symphony around Inferno and Purgatorio, drawing its subject directly from the Divine Comedy. The second part leads into a choral Magnificat, adding voices to the orchestra at the close. The resulting design follows a literary and spiritual journey rather than the usual four-movement symphonic cycle, with thematic transformations helping connect its contrasted regions.
Inspiration and creative background
Dante's Divine Comedy explicitly supplies the work's subject and the Inferno/Purgatorio design.
Alfred Music: Liszt Dante Symphony
1855-56 composition, S109, Dante programme and choral scoring | Reviewed 2026-10-19
American Symphony Orchestra: Dante concert note
Liszt Inferno, Purgatorio and Magnificat design | Reviewed 2026-10-19
A listening guide
Listen for the change in sound when the chorus enters near the end.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Orchestra and women's or boys' chorus
Composition: 1855-1856
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.
Also known as: Dante Symphony; Eine Symphonie zu Dantes Divina Commedia
Alfred Music: Liszt Dante Symphony
1855-56 composition, S109, Dante programme and choral scoring | Reviewed 2026-10-19
American Symphony Orchestra: Dante concert note
Liszt Inferno, Purgatorio and Magnificat design | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
Alfred Music: Liszt Dante Symphony
1855-56 composition, S109, Dante programme and choral scoring | Reviewed 2026-10-19
American Symphony Orchestra: Dante concert note
Liszt Inferno, Purgatorio and Magnificat design | Reviewed 2026-10-19
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