Franz Liszt ： Agnus Dei from Requiem S.437

This work is Liszt’s arrangement for solo piano of the “Agnus Dei” from Verdi’s Requiem. Centered on the prayerful melody of the original, it combines a flowing line reminiscent of vocal breathing with the support of rich chords. The music may be heard as unfolding from a quiet invocation, gradually expanding before moving through contrasts of tension and repose and ending with a lingering resonance. In performance, the melody should remain consistently songful, while the inner voices and accompaniment are kept in balance and the breathing of each phrase is carefully observed. Rather than exaggerating the dynamic changes, aim to unite the depth of prayer with the sonority unique to a piano transcription, allowing the work’s appeal to emerge fully.