Franz Liszt ： Urbi et Orbi S.184 R.69

A solemn piano work that evokes a quiet sense of prayer, in keeping with its religious title. Rather than placing a melody prominently in the foreground, the music unfolds through the resonance and lingering sonority of its chords, with contrasts between stillness and rising intensity marking the changes from one passage to another. Performers should take in the overall arc and remain aware of the connections between sections, allowing even the short phrases to form a unified breath. Chords should not be made heavy through volume alone, and care should be taken to keep the inner voices clear. Use the pedal to support the resonance while changing it carefully with the harmony; at the close, preserving the aftersound and settling quietly brings out the work’s spiritual character.