Franz Liszt ： Mephisto Waltz No.2 S.515/R.182

Mephisto Waltz No. 2 is built on a clear waltz pulse, moving between an eerie, dramatic atmosphere and lyrical expression. Sharp accents and chromatic sonorities heighten the tension, while singing melodies add depth and contrast. The musical material unfolds as if through a succession of changing scenes, leading toward climaxes marked by brilliant virtuosity and weighty chords. In performance, it is important to maintain the dance-like pulse in the left hand while allowing the melody in the right hand to project clearly, and to express sudden dynamic changes through tone color as well as volume. Pedaling should support the resonance without creating blur; emphasizing the contrast between lightness and unease brings out the work’s character.