Description

Liszt's ninth Rhapsody, known as the "Carnival at Pest," is one of the few Hungarian Rhapsodies he chose to title. Once again, Liszt draws upon Hungarian folk melodies, fusing them with improvisational elements to create a dazzling virtuosic display. The work is said to capture the relaxed atmosphere of a Budapest carnival around 1840, with Liszt reportedly incorporating several observed themes. As a result, the piece quickly gained popularity, making its way into concert halls across Europe and eventually worldwide. In Béla Bartok's words, Liszt succeeded in crafting a "work of perfect authenticity."