Via crucis (Liszt)

Via crucis ( German : Die 14 Stations of Kreuzwegs) is a work for mixed choir, soloists and organ (or harmonium ) or piano of the Austro-Hungarian composer Franz Liszt .The work is dedicated to the fourteen Stations of the Cross . It is one of the last works of Liszt.

Liszt began with the composition of this work while he was in the autumn of 1878 in Rome stayed and he completed it in February 1879 in Budapest . There are three sources delivered to the work: first drafts of manuscripts, which are in Weimar located, the manuscript of the whole work (in Budapest) and a copy (also in Weimar). In the original version was equipped with organ accompaniment, Liszt later added a version with piano accompaniment here.

The work takes a special place in the works of Liszt mainly because it is a work of great stillness. Particular work is also because it explores the boundaries of the hitherto conventional tonality. The work combines unison singing (Stations I and XIV) with Lutheran hymns (Stations IV and XII), and Bach -inspired corals (Station VI), while part of the Stations consists of solo parts for organ or piano. Liszt had the intention to work in the Coliseum to perform, then provided harmonium accompaniment.

Classification [ edit ]
The work follows the fourteen stations: