Symphonic Poem No. 8, Héroïde funèbre (“Heriod Funeral”), S. 102 - Franz Liszt

Symphonic Poem No. 8, Héroïde funèbre (“Heriod Funeral”), S. 102 by Franz Liszt

Liszt completed ‘Héroïde funèbre’ (his 8th symphonic poem for orchestra) in 1850. Liszt had originally planned to compose an entire symphony with this work serving as the first movement. The symphony would be a commemoration of the July Revolution of 1830, or the ‘Second French Revolution’. This second revolution, after the revolution of 1789, saw the deposition of the Bourbon King Charles X and his replacement with Louis Philippe I, the Duke of Orléans.

Liszt had begun work on the symphony as early as 1830, but events in 1848 had a dramatic effect on the 37-year-old composer. In February of 1848 a third French Revolution, also known as the February Revolution, broke out. This would eventually lead to the deposition of Louis Philippe I and the establishment of the French Republic. The revolution in France would prompt similar uprisings in continental Europe, particularly in Prussia, Austria, and Hungary.

The Hungarian Revolution of 1848 saw several Hungarian generals’ rebel against the Austrian Empire after Emperor Franz Joseph I revoked the so called ‘April Laws’, causing tension with the Hungarian Parliament about their ability to govern as per the democratic will of the Hungarian people.

A friend of Liszt was killed during the Hungarian riots of 1848. Liszt decided to rework the symphony into a tone poem, turning the brass militaristic work into a more sombre eulogy.

This work is comprised of a single movement.