The one in particular that I attended was called “The Virtuoso Liszt” in which Charles Foreman was performing. He performed a number of works by Franz Liszt, one of which being Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 and was also his opener.

Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 had two distinct sections; a slow section and a fast section. The piece is in duple metre and has a pulse throughout the piece although during the first motive, the presence of the pulse is questionable (mainly because of expressive purposes). The prominent motive for the first section is SL (SL) SSSL (SL) LSSSL (SL). For the whole piece, there are a number of different subdivisions for every beat as the piece continues and develops so quickly and so often. Although, common subdivisions for the piece are two and four.

The piece began slow with its first motive and elaborated and transformed until a spontaneous re-appearance of the first motive. Though seldom, the theme is extended by a spinning and varied continuation of the basic motive. In this piece, the melody tends to achieve balance. Through subdivision, it avoids growing unrest and supports comprehensibility by limitation. Thoroughly dramatic, the piece included a series of key modulations.

The second section began quietly yet quick with tempo, slightly recalling a theme from the first section. The theme develops as the tempo increases as with volume with crescendos to reach a point where a seemingly new motive enters. This new motive enters after the momentum gain and outbursts in its new main theme. This theme is followed by a calm development and continuation. The piece continues on to a greater tempo and an accumulation of octaves of notes accompanied by a crescendo are played for a significant conclusion.

On a poetic note, the piece began like an announcement. It was as if it is trying to establish a presence, and once the presence was established, it went on to a melody that suggested a slight recurring unrest and was elaborated on. The unrest developed after, through many different variations as if there are many things to cause that unrest and is not accepted. The variations come to a point where the melody resolves itself although the presence from beforehand returns seemingly bigger than before trying to make a statement that the presence was there and will not leave. Making a subtle yet distinguished appearance, the second section enters and unrest returns in a different way than ever before. It appears mystical. The unrest develops and progresses until how somehow the unrest is suddenly relieved and becomes happy and joyful. At this point, happiness enjoyed and although encountering trivial complications, remains content and continues on its way until it is disturbed by something new. This last disturbance hurries into a resolution through a whirlwind of pushing and pulling back and forth and triumph over the disturbance is celebrated with exultation.